AMSTERDAM — A handful of Americans clocked in across the pond on Saturday, with goalkeeper Tim Howard in the brightest spotlight.
The US number one backstopped Everton to a 1-1 FA Cup round of 32 draw with visiting holders Chelsea. Howard made four saves to help line up an early February Stamford Bridge replay.
Elsewhere, Brad Friedel and Aston Villa advanced to the sweet 16 with a 3-1 defeat of guests Blackburn.
As Rovers loan catch Jermaine Jones watched from his team's dugout, the veteran goalkeeper rang up three saves in the Villa net, including a dazzler on Christopher Samba's header just after Villa had taken a 2-1 lead on 35 minutes.
Bolton midfielder Stuart Holden worked the final 16 minutes of a 0-0 derby stalemate against Wigan, who will now host the replay at the DW Stadium. The American was active during his short shift, earning a yellow for a rough challenge and sparking a pair of dangerous attacks.
In England's Championship, Brad Guzan went unpunished by an early corner kick gaffe and rallied with five saves as Hull City held visiting league leaders Queens Park Rangers to a 0-0 draw.
Zak Whitbread and third place Norwich failed to take advantage, settling for an identical result at relegation bait Crystal Palace.
In France's Ligue 1, Carlos Bocanegra was booked near the death, but he will be unbothered as Saint-Étienne jumped two spots to sixth with a 2-1 win over Toulouse.
Finally, in Germany's 2. Fußball-Bundesliga, 1860 Munich forward prospect Bobby Wood made his first team debut with eight minutes at the end of a 1-1 home draw against Duisburg, who had American David Yelldell in the net. Yelldell had a fine afternoon in goal for the visitors, keeping it a one-goal game until his side finally bagged an equalizer three minutes from time.
