AMSTERDAM – Tim Howard became the winningest American netminder of all-time in UEFA cup competition on Thursday night, following a 4-1 lesson taught by Everton to Europa League Round-of-32 hosts Young Boys Bern.
The Toffees backstop posted his 21st victory, combining his Champions League and Europa League/UEFA Cup exploits, putting him one ahead of Tottenham veteran Brad Friedel. The Swiss side did not make it easy on Howard & Co., forcing seven saves and three cross captures out of the American.
Howard was at his absolute best just past the half-hour, when he denied a volley blast from Guillaume Hoarau and then the resulting rebound try by Raphaël Nuzzolo. The No. 24 shirt also picked out teammates with four of his eight boots across midfield as the visitors moved closer to making a sweet 16 in Europe for the first time in seven seasons.
Elsewhere, Fabian Johnson's solid left wing outing was not enough to spare Borussia Mönchengladbach from a 1-0 opening-leg loss at Sevilla.
The Foals attacker set up a good early chance for Christoph Kramer in the 20th minute, only to see his teammates robbed by home netminder Sergio Rico. The Sevilla ‘keeper was at it again on 33 minutes, cruelly denying the US international from close range after he had raced onto a Raffael slip pass. Midway through the second frame, the Spaniard also managed to snatch a cross headed for Johnson in the nick of time.
For the night, Johnson connected on 25 of 30 passes while committing but one ball-handling turnover. He also found time to ring up three tackles and two pass interceptions at the defensive end.
Both Everton and 'Gladbach will now head home for their deciding legs, which will be played next Thursday.
