AMSTERDAM — It was a somewhat rough Saturday for American Exports in Europe, with Tim Howard and Everton extending their skid with a 2-1 loss at Newcastle.
Not at his best on this day, the US netminder managed but two saves as the Toffees lost for the fifth time in their last six EPL matches.
Elsewhere, Brad Guzan acted as backup custodian for eighth-place Aston Villa's 3-2 win over Norwich City.
Down a flight in the Championship, Robbie Findley put two first-half chances wide and was robbed of a goal midway through the second as Nottingham Forest fell 3-0 at Portsmouth. The result dropped the Reds to 20th place.
Making his first start of the season, Conor Doyle saw his best crack at goal over 65 minutes denied by a fine save in Derby County's 3-2 loss at Peterborough. After going ahead by two just past the half-hour, the Rams eventually fell on a stoppage-time own-goal to slip to seventh.
In nearby Scotland, all three Americans patrolled the park to help Rangers move 12 points up in the league penthouse with a 3-1 defeat of visiting Dundee United. Carlos Bocanegra and Maurice Edu each pitched in solid 90-minute efforts, while Alejandro Bedoya emerged for the final quarter-hour of action.
Turning to the Bundesliga, Fabian Johnson switched from midfield to right back for the final 20 minutes and Daniel Williams went into the ref's book during his 22 minutes as Hoffenheim hosted a 1-1 draw with Kaiserslautern.
Timothy Chandler and FC Nürnberg suffered a galling 2-1 home loss to Freiburg on a stoppage time penalty kick. Der Club are now winless in seven with four losses, dropping them down to 15th.
Meanwhile, David Yelldell took his customary seat in the dugout as Bayer Leverkusen blew a two-goal halftime lead to settle for a 2-2 draw with visiting Hamburg.
North of the border in Denmark's SAS Liga, Chris Rolfe pulled a full shift at left midfield for a change as Aalborg BK topped AC Horsens 2-0. Though remaining sixth, the home side climbed to within three points of second place in the table.
Over in Russia, Eugene Starikov came on for the final 32 minutes as last-place Tom Tomsk suffered at the death in a 2-1 loss at 10-man FC Rostov.
Finally, in the Portuguese second flight, Tony Taylor saw yellow during his 70-minute shift as Atlético CP went five points clear at the top with a 1-0 victory at Portimonense.
