AMSTERDAM – Fabian Johnson struck the early opener on Sunday afternoon to spark Borussia Mönchengladbach's fifth straight Bundesliga win at home, a 2-0 decision over Paderborn.
The US international, who put on a star display in the left wing role, had already engineered plenty of danger by the time he broke the ice with his first Foals goal on 19 minutes. After helping to set up a pair of good chances for teammates and then drawing a low save on the quarter hour, Johnson fought off two defenders running along the top of the area to beat the away 'keeper with a partially-deflected lefty drive from 20 yards.
Johnson also played a key part in 'Gladbach's 81st-minute insurance tally, with his low cross leading to a saved shot and the Max Kruse rebound tally that followed.
For the day, the US international completed 40 of 46 passes when he wasn't terrorizing Paderborn on the dribble, and added a doorstep shot block at the defensive end for good measure.
In addition to strengthening their hold on third place, Johnson & Co. extended their home shutout streak to 309 minutes.
Over in England's top flight, Tim Howard and Everton fell to a hard-fought 2-0 loss at Arsenal.
The Toffees backstop made two saves and snagged one cross, with his most important stop coming when he tipped a Santi Cazorla effort over the goal just after Arsenal went ahead on an Olivier Giroud corner kick volley. Howard kept his side in until old nemesis Tomáš Rosický's shot took a big deflection that left the American no chance at recovery.
It was the Arsenal man's third career EPL strike against Howard, but more importantly, it ensured 14th-place Everton would lose for the seventh time in their last eight league road matches.
Across the North Sea, Rubio Rubin watched on as FC Utrecht battled visiting rivals Feyenoord to a 0-0 Eredivisie draw. The hosts remained both unbeaten in three and docked in 12th place.
Greg Seltzer covers Americans based in Europe for MLSsoccer.com.
