AMSTERDAM – Everton netminder Tim Howard ran his Premier League shutout streak to 240 minutes on Sunday, but it was not enough as the home side missed a chance to grab second place thanks to a 0-0 draw with Tottenham.
The US No. 1 notched six saves, including top-notch early stops on Sandro and Kyle Walker. Howard later kept the game scoreless by turning away Gylfi Sigurdsson with less than a quarter-hour to play. Moments later, Spurs backstop Hugo Lloris was shaken up in an aerial collision. Backup Brad Friedel quickly started warming up on the sideline, but the France international remained in the game.
The result dropped each club one rung – with Tottenham now sixth and Everton seventh – but also extended Howard's EPL unbeaten streak at Goodison Park to 14 games.
In Serie A, Michael Bradley was solid in his first start since opening day, as AS Roma surrendered their record winning streak in a 1-1 share at Torino. "The General" worked in tandem with Daniele De Rossi to control both the middle of the park and the game's rhythms.
Though the Giallorossi fell one victory shy of equaling Tottenham's standard for wins to start a European first division season, they remain three points clear at the top of the standings through 11 rounds.
Over in Ligue 1, Alejandro Bedoya worked a decent shift as Nantes posted a 1-1 draw at Montpellier. The attacking midfielder was a bit quiet at the offensive end, but made plenty of noise defensively with three tackles and five clearances. Fourth place Nantes stand unbeaten in their last three away games.
Over in Denmark's Superliga, Babajide Ogunbiyi and Viborg saw their winless road slide reach five games after a 2-1 loss at AGF Aarhus. In addition to working well at the back, the hulking defender also won the penalty kick for Viborg's 90th minute consolation goal. The promoted Greens now stand fifth, four points out of the penthouse.
Switching over to Norway's Tippeligaen, Mikkel Diskerud came on for the final 20 minutes to help Rosenborg close out a 2-1 victory over guests Viking that keeps their title hopes alive up to closing day. The US midfielder had a premium shot at adding on with three minutes left, but fired straight at the away custodian from inside the penalty spot. Nevertheless, Rosenborg pulled to within a point of leaders Strømsgodset going into next Sunday's decisive last round of play.
The news was not quite as good for Steve Clark and Hønefoss, who lost any chance at finishing in the safety zone despite a 3-1 home victory over Sogndal. The Michigan native registered five saves in goal, four of them coming while the game remained scoreless for nearly an hour.
Though their chances of staying in the top flight were harmed by two relegation fight rivals also winning today, Hønefoss can still end up in the survival playoff spot with a win in the Nov. 10 season closer and a reasonable amount of help around the league.
