AMSTERDAM – Tim Howard and Everton kicked off their Premier League season in style on Monday, shutting out nearby rivals Manchester United 1-0 at a raucous Goodison Park.
The US netminder made three saves against his old employers, the best denying Wayne Rooney on a free kick near the half-hour mark. Howard also benefited from a Phil Jagielka goal-line clearance of Tom Cleverley's 67th-minute attempt.
Thanks to Marouane Fellaini's goal near the hour, both Howard and the Toffees snapped a four-game win drought against United.
Over in Denmark, Conor O'Brien scored in a losing cause as SønderjyskE fell 2-1 at home to Odense BK.
The midfielder deposited his second goal of the campaign from distance to slice the away lead in half in the 56th minute, but the hosts fell short despite a furious rally effort. SønderjyskE, who have now dropped consecutive home games, slipped four spots to sixth.
In Sweden, Brian Span was an unused sub as Djurgården sailed to the Svenska Cup third round by winning 5-1 at fifth-flight mites Dalstorps.
