ST. PETERSBURG, Russia – Borussia Monchengladbach winger Fabian Johnson retuned from injury to work all 90 minutes of a wild 4-3 defeat against DfB-Pokal Round-of-16 visitors Werder Bremen on Tuesday night.
Though he participated in the rush that saw 'Gladbach bag the 2-2 equalizer, Johnson had a fairly quiet night. With the Foals down two in the 82nd minute, the US star wiggled his way into the area to draw a fine save from the away netminder. Injured Bremen forward Aron Johansson and his teammates will learn their next cup foe in Wednesday night's quarterfinal draw.
Turning to England's Championship, Huddersfield Town attacker Duane Holmes shined in his first start of the season, helping David Wagner's home side move clear of the danger zone with a 2-0 victory over Rotherham.
The diminutive playmaker nearly notched an assist only three minutes in, only to watch teammate Sean Scannell fire just wide from his slip pass into the box. In his 72 minutes of action, Holmes completed nine positive passes in or into the Rotherham end, beat three opponents on the dribble and earned two free kicks in the attacking zone. The suddenly warming Terriers have won two of three to reach 19th place.
Elsewhere, a top-notch full shift from Tim Ream and a solid sub outing from Emerson Hyndman both went to waste in Fulham's 2-1 home loss against Ipswich Town.
Working the left side of a three-man back line, Ream logged a game-best five pass picks, five clearances, two tackles and two cross blocks, all without committing a single foul. The St. Louis native also completed an impressive 16 positive passes in or into the attacking half with no handling turnovers to his ledger.
Shortly after Hyndman entered in the 66th minute, fellow Fulham sub Matt Smith nodded a pinpoint Ream cross agonizingly wide of frame. Despite seeing their win drought extended to seven games, the Cottagers held firm in 17th place.
Jonathan Spector ably went the distance in the heart of Birmingham City's defense as the visitors clawed back late for a 1-1 share at Preston North End.
The US international notched a game-high six clearances while handling the ball well all night. Though just four points short of the promotion playoff zone, Spector & Co. remain winless in five matches.
Also, Cody Cropper served as backup 'keeper for MK Dons, who got well with a 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday. Thanks to their first win in six, the hosts jumped out of the bottom three.
