AMSTERDAM – Jozy Altidore continued with the hot hand on Friday, tallying AZ Alkmaar's third goal in a 4-1 cruise through VVV Venlo.
In the 63rd minute, the striker ran onto a long ball before using a soft touch to slot his seventh goal in the last five games across all competitions. Altidore, who has now matched last season's haul of 15 Eredivisie goals in just 20 games, pulled to within one of the league scoring lead.
The Cheese Farmers have won consecutive games for the first time since March, and three in their last four league outings. The three points gained tentatively lifted them three rungs to eighth place on goal differential.
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Next door in the Bundesliga, Timothy Chandler returned to the lineup in FC Nürnberg's 3-0 loss at defending champs Borussia Dortmund. The US international was not at fault on any of the goal leaks as the 15th-place visitors lost for the first time in four games.
Finally, in England's FA Cup, Eric Lichaj went the distance as Aston Villa bowed out after conceding late in a 2-1 defeat at second-flight Millwall. Taking his customary cup breather, Brad Guzan watched from the dugout as the Villans' win drought away from home reached five games.
