AMSTERDAM—Alfredo Morales and Ingolstadt stayed perfect as Bundesliga road warriors on Saturday afternoon, posting a 1-0 victory away to Aron Jóhannsson's Werder Bremen.
Morales worked a full shift for Ingolstadt, who have now scored identical wins in each of their first three top-flight away tilts. Though he had a rough day on the ball, the midfielder notched three tackles and two pass picks to help keep the game scoreless until a last-minute Moritz Hartmann penalty decided matters.
Meanwhile, Jóhannsson was a key cog in Bremen builds until being replaced 9 minutes from time. The US forward missed wide with his only shot attempt, but placed several dangerous serves into the area and won three free kicks.
The result pushed risers Ingolstadt up to fifth place, while Jóhannsson & Co. dipped to ninth.
One flight below, Andrew Wooten came up empty in Sandhausen's 2-0 defeat at FC Nürnberg. The striker saw a header saved near the break on his only chance of the day. Now without a win in four, Sandhausen dropped to ninth place.
Turning to the English Premier League, Tim Howard chalked up his third road shutout in a row in Everton's 0-0 stalemate at Swansea City.
The Toffees star made three saves, including a pair of key second-half stops to keep the hosts off the board. After cruelly tipping over a Jefferson Montero blast on 62 minutes, Howard blocked away a long Bafetimbi Gomis drive. Though unbeaten in three, Everton slipped to sixth place.
Elsewhere, Brad Guzan and Aston Villa suffered a 1-0 derby defeat against visiting West Bromwich Albion. The US netminder's five saves were not enough to prevent the Villans from losing for the fourth time in five games since opening day. Guzan's best stop foiled Darren Flatcher shortly before a Saido Berahino's deflection provided the only goal of the game on 39 minutes.
Geoff Cameron came agonizingly close to a late winner as Stoke City were forced to settle for a 2-2 share against guests Leicester City. After the Potters conceded two second-half goals to give up what seemed a comfy lead, the American nodded a restart inches wide of frame with 12 minutes to play. Despite a team-high seven clearances and four tackles from Cameron, Stoke remained winless in 18th place.
Meanwhile, DeAndre Yedlin watched on as winless Sunderland fell 2-0 at Bournemouth to stay glued to the bottom of the table.
A level down in the Championship, Danny Williams' early assist helped send Reading on their way to a 2-0 victory at Bristol City. Nine minutes in, Williams released Garath McCleary with a diagonal feed and the winger raced in to bag the quick opener. In addition to racking up 13 positive passes in or into the attacking half, the midfielder pitched in with three pass interceptions, two tackles and a shot block as the Royals reached sixth place thanks to their third win in four.
A strong shift from Eric Lichaj went to waste as 11th-placed Nottingham Forest lost 2-1 against visiting Middlesbrough. From several daring raids into attack, the right back had drives turned away by the hone netminder on 34 and 52 minutes. Lichaj also saw two fine set-ups lack the proper finish from teammates, including a stoppage-time denial after his cross found Chris O'Grady in the area. At the defensive end, he contributed four clearances, three interceptions and a pair of tackles.
Fulham got a terrific passing day from Tim Ream, but ended up on the wrong end of a 3-2 decision at Sheffield Wednesday. After starting the contest in central defense, Ream shifted to left back at halftime. In all, the summer arrival completed 16 positive passes in or into the Wednesday end, but was unable to help keep the hosts from netting from a pair of first-half restarts. Due to their first loss in four, Fulham are down to 16th place through seven rounds.
Over in nearby Scotland's second division, Gedion Zelalam went the distance as league leaders Rangers topped home side Dumbarton 2-0. The Arsenal loan midfielder narrowly missed getting his boot to an excellent early lob feed, but put in a solid shift as the visitors won for the 11th straight time, extending a win streak that dates back to last season.
