AMSTERDAM—Geoff Cameron was big at the back as Stoke City broke their Premier League duck with a leave-it-late 2-1 victory over visiting Bournemouth.
The defensive handyman returned to central defense to notch a game-best 11 clearances and 3 tackles. The Potters climbed out of the Premier League bottom three on the strength of their first win of the season.
Elsewhere in the EPL, a massive performance from Brad Guzan wasn't quite enough for Aston Villa in a 3-2 defeat Liverpool.
The US netminder chalked up 9 saves, 4 cross captures and 2 punches. His best stop: pushing a Daniel Sturridge drive out of the top corner while Villa was attempting a late rally in the 86th minute. Due to a third straight loss, the visitors slipped into the danger zone.
Meanwhile, former Seattle Sounders back DeAndre Yedlin watched on as Sunderland dropped a 2-0 decision away to new Premier League leaders Manchester United.
A league below in the Championship, Daniel Williams and Reading jumped into third place with a 2-1 win at Burnley.
The midfielder completed 11 positive passes in or into the attacking half and nearly produced end product from a pair of late rushes. Williams drew a low save from the edge of the area on 74 minutes and then watched Hal Robson-Kanu robbed from his setup moments later. Reading have now won three straight road games and four of five league matches overall.
Also, Jonathan Spector and Birmingham City are winless in three following a galling 2-0 home loss against Rotherham. The US defender logged 6 clearances, 5 interceptions, 3 blocked shots and a cross smother, but could not keep the Blues from dipping to ninth place.
Over in the Bundesliga, Fabian Johnson and Borussia Mönchengladbach started their first win streak of the season with a 3-1 triumph at Stuttgart.
Though the Foals winger was relatively quiet in the final third, he did buzz the frame with a curler from distance just beyond the hour mark. On the day, Johnson pitched in with 3 pass interceptions, 2 clearances, a tackle and a cross block. The points lifted 'Gladbach out of the relegation zone.
One level down, Bobby Wood netted for the third time in four games to help Union Berlin emerge clear of the drop zone with a 3-2 home win against Duisburg.
The US forward grabbed a share of the team scoring lead by breaking the ice after just four minutes. Wood picked the corner with a volley for his fourth tally of the young season.
