AMSTERDAM – Tim Howard put on a star show with six saves as Everton battled to a 0-0 stalemate at Tottenham on Saturday evening.
The US goalkeeper was busy early and often, and he set the tone for Spurs' frustration with a kick save on Harry Kane midway through the opening frame. Howard then denied Ryan Mason on a break-in a moment later and kept a Toby Alderweireld corner kick header out in the 33rd minute. Thanks to Howard's second shutout of the season, Everton can stand no lower than 10th when the round ends on Sunday.
In earlier action, Brad Guzan and Aston Villa dominated the proceeding, but let their second half lead slip away in a 2-2 home share with Sunderland.
Guzan, who remained unbeaten against the Black Cats in his career (5-0-3), rang up a save and two cross claims. Unfortunately, the netminder had little chance on either goal, with Jeremain Lens deflected 51st-minute leveler capping a string of Villa errors in the defensive end. Despite halting a two-game losing skid, the hosts slipped to 12th place.
Meanwhile, Geoff Cameron did all he possibly could in defense as nine-man Stoke City bravely fell 1-0 at West Bromwich Albion.
The defender misfired on just four of his 52 passes, with an incredibly helpful 13 successful connections in or into the Baggies half. Cameron also logged five clearances, a tackle and big area shot blocks on either side of halftime. Nevertheless, the winless Potters dropped into the bottom three by virtue of a Southampton win on Sunday.
One league below in the Championship, Daniel Williams helped Reading book their first win of the season, a complete 3-1 victory at Brentford.
In addition to completing 36 of 40 passes and drawing three saves from five shot attempts, Williams set up the last-minute penalty kick capper by leading the counter. The US midfielder raced through space to feed Nick Blackman, who was felled in the box then and stepped up to add insurance from the spot himself. By finally breaking out after three straight draws, the Royals climbed to mid-table through five round.
Around the horn, Jonathan Spector put in his now-customary solid showing in central defense as Birmingham City jumped to eighth place with a 2-0 win at MK Dons.
With Cody Cropper serving as backup for the hosts, Spector piled up four tackles, three clearances and two pass interceptions. One of three remaining unbeatens in the league, Birmingham could rise as high second place using the game they hold in on those above them in the table.
Tim Ream and Fulham posted their first win of the season, a 3-1 win at Rotherham.
The US defender had a lukewarm showing at the unusual right center back spot. Ream had some struggles in the aerial game, notching just two clearances on a day when the hosts were busy serving crosses. Still, Fulham strolled their way up to 14th place.
Nottingham Forest right back Eric Lichaj had an off day as the home side lost for the first time since opening day, dropping a 2-1 decision to Cardiff City.
Due to badly losing the crosser, Lichaj was among the culpable on the Bluebirds' mid-first half opener. Aside from an area clearance and a shot block, the defender's main impact in trying to rally the Reds. He completed 13 passes in or into the attacking half, including three late set-ups that led to good chances.
Alfredo Morales and road warriors Ingolstadt tentatively climbed to within a point of the Bundesliga perch thanks to a 1-0 victory at Augsburg on Saturday.
The US midfielder worked a fairly business-like full shift, but was harshly denied at the Augsburg doorstep shortly after the break. For the day, Morales completed five positive passes in or into the final attacking third and added a pair of tackles at the defensive end. Morales & Co. are now 15-3-15 in league road games since October of 2013.
Elsewhere, Timothy Chandler had his first start of the season cut short by a knock at halftime, but little could stop Eintracht Frankfurt from breaking their duck with a 4-1 away rout of Stuttgart.
It was a double-switch for Chandler, who typically shines in a losing cause against the Schwabians. This time, though, the right back celebrated victory despite first half struggles that included five incomplete passes in his own end, a yellow card and the twisted knee that ended his afternoon. Despite his rough day at the office, Eintracht conditionally reached eighth place by returning to break-even.
Across the North Sea in Eredivisie action, Rubio Rubin worked the final 18 minutes of FC Utrecht's 2-0 home win against Groningen. The young forward completed five of six passes in limited touches as the Red-and White Army broke into the win column.
Up in Norway, A.J. Soares made a triumphant return from injury as third place Viking moved clear in the last Europa League slot with a 2-0 win over visiting Sandefjord. Back from concussion symptoms after seven games on the shelf, the center back put in one of his finest displays of the season as the Dark Blues won for the third time in four league games.
