American Exports: Bocanegra goes top of Ligue1

AMSTERDAM - It was a busy day for Americans playing in England and Germany, but it's Carlos Bocanegra and Saint-Étienne that grab the headline after tentatively going top in France with a firm 3-0 defeat of guests Montpellier on Saturday night.

The U.S. skipper went the full 90 at left back as Les Verts assumed the Ligue 1 perch with Sunday combatants Rennes two points back.

In the English Premier League, Clint Dempsey scored for the fourth time in the last four games against Blackburn to secure the visitors a 1-1 share.

Dempsey knotted things up with a header just before the hour and made way for compatriot Eddie Johnson on 78 minutes.

Elsewhere in England's top flight, Aston Villa keeper Brad Friedel was back to his best and Bolton midfielder Stuart Holden had an active day as the teams battled to a 1-1 draw at Villa Park.

The woes continued for Tim Howard and Everton in a 1-0 home loss to Newcastle.

In nearby Scotland, Maurice Edu worked 70 minutes of a 4-0 Rangers cruise past Dundee United.

Over in the Bundesliga, Steve Cherundolo wore the captain's armband and DaMarcus Beasley made a 14-minute club debut off the bench as the unbeaten start of Hannover 96 was halted by a 2-0 derby loss at Wolfsburg.

Finally, Michael Bradley suffered through the entirety as Borussia Mönchengladbach took a savage 7-0 beating at Stuttgart.