AMSTERDAM – Everton netminder Tim Howard posted his fifth consecutive Premier League victory over West Ham United with a 2-1 home decision on Saturday afternoon.
The Toffees star needed just one save to get the job done, a point-blank denial of James Collins to preserve their slim lead 14 minutes from time. Howard also rang up seven cross claims in running his overall career record against the Hammers to 11-1-4. Now unbeaten in five, Everton tentatively climbed to 8th place.
Around the EPL, Geoff Cameron dropped into central defense for Stoke City's galling 2-1 home loss to Burnley. With the Potters suffering an injury crisis on the back line, Cameron stepped in to provide a team-high eight clearances. Despite having 73% of possession, 10th-place Stoke saw their winless slide at home extended to three games.
Sunderland striker Jozy Altidore went unused as the visitors settled for a 0-0 draw at Leicester City. With a league-high seven ties in 12 games, the Black Cats remain in 14th place.
One flight down in the Championship, Eric Lichaj returned to the right back slot as Nottingham Forest started their first win streak since August with a 3-0 triumph at Wolverhampton. The Illinois native led all players with five pass interceptions and added eight clearances. The win boosted Forest three places to eighth.
Tim Ream ably went the distance at left back as Bolton nudged out of the relegation zone with a 1-1 rally draw away to nearby rivals Blackpool. The American was cruelly denied his first-ever Wanderers goal in the 14th minute after skinning a defender to fire a rocket on target. Ream also pitched in with five clearances and a pair of tackles.
Also, Oguchi Onyewu was an unused sub as Charlton posted a 0-0 draw against visiting Millwall, as was Brek Shea in Birmingham City's 1-0 defeat at Rotherham.
Over in Germany, Timothy Chandler and Eintracht Frankfurt snapped a four-game Bundesliga losing streak by downing hosts Borussia Mönchengladbach 3-1. The right back enjoyed a strong shift, passing the ball well to go with a team-best three pass picks. Thanks to their first win since the start of October, Eintracht rose a rung to 12th.
