ST. PETERSBURG, Russia – Tim Howard and Everton extended their Premier League unbeaten run to six games, but once again blew a lead to end up with a 1-1 share at Norwich City.
The US star notched one save and a cross capture, but was helpless to stop a second chance shot from a Norwich corner two minutes after intermission. Howard was rather fortunate in the 71st minute, when Cameron Jerome somehow shot over from close range with the 'keeper out of position.
Despite suffering a second half collapse for the second time in 15 days, Howard and company held firm in sixth place.
Over in Germany, Bobby Wood struck twice to lead Union Berlin to their first win since Halloween, a 3-0 2. Bundesliga decision at Fortuna Düsseldorf.
The forward, who was a repeated nuisance to the hosts until departing in stoppage time, broke the ice on 13 minutes. Wood dribbled past veteran Fortuna defender Alexander Madlung to fire his eighth goal of the season.
After threatening with another pair of first half efforts, the American doubled the away lead 20 minutes from time. He once again bested Madlung to lob Fortuna netminder Michael Rensing. The goal lifted Wood into a third place logjam on the league chart, while the victory moved the Iron Union clear of the drop zone.
John Anthony Brooks notched his first career Bundesliga assist and helped Hertha Berlin post their fourth win in five as the visitors cruised to a 4-0 victory at Darmstadt on Saturday afternoon.
The US center back set up Hertha's third in the 50th minute by nodding a corner kick back across the goalmouth for former St. Louis University star Vedad Ibisevic to convert. Brooks also helped the capital crew dominate the proceedings by completing 70 of 78 passes including 11 connections in or into the attacking half and seven long switches.
The win, Hertha's third in their last four road games, tentatively lifted the club into third place.
Over in England, Geoff Cameron worked 68 solid minutes in midfield as Stoke City wasted numerous scoring chances to settle for a 1-1 draw at West Ham United.
Cameron helped push the team forward with 13 positive passes in or into the Hammers end, while pitching in with two tackles and an area cross block. The Potters stayed docked in 11th place.
Meanwhile, DeAndre Yedlin was removed in an early tactical switch as Sunderland dropped a galling 1-0 home decision against promoted Watford.
The right back left when manager Sam Allardyce changed to a three-man back line in the 19th minute. Due to their second defeat in the last three home games, the Black Cats missed a chance to climb out of the drop zone.
One level down in the Championship, Jonathan Spector and Birmingham City halted a three-game slide by registering a 0-0 draw away to title chasers Middlesbrough.
The US international contributed three clearances, two tackles, two pass picks and a doorstep shot block. Despite their first shutout in over a month, the Blues slipped a rung to ninth place.
A strong full shift from Daniel Williams was not enough to keep suddenly slumping Reading from suffering their third straight defeat, a tough 1-0 result at Preston North End.
The midfielder could have earned two first half assists with better finishes from teammates and drew a good late save with a bid to level from the edge of the area. Despite 14 positive passes in or into the attacking zone from Williams, the Royals fell to 12th place due to conceding a second half spot kick.
Tim Ream and Fulham are now winless in six following a 2-2 home share with Brentford. The center back notched a team-high eight clearances as the Cottagers dropped to 17th place.
Also, David Wagner's Huddersfield Town stumbled at home, falling 2-1 against Bristol City. The Terriers lost their fourth straight home game, but stayed two points above the danger zone.
French Ligue 1 action saw Alejandro Bedoya go 72 solid minutes in Nantes' 1-1 fightback draw with visiting Toulouse.
The attacker enjoyed a decent all-around outing, with 10 positive passes in the Toulouse end complimenting three pass interceptions and two tackles, all achieved through high pressure. Even with the late comeback, the 12th place Canaries saw their win drought reach five games.
Turning focus to the Bulgarian top flight, Bjorn Maars Johnsen was sent off early in a wild derby encounter at Levski Sofia that ended prematurely with the visitors voluntarily forfeiting a 3-0 loss in protest of the officiating.
During a 15th minute argument with Levski's Miguel Bedoya, the striker shoved his opponent, drawing a controversial straight red card. It was Johnsen's second ejection of the calendar year, with the other coming with Portuguese side Atletico CP back in February.
After Litex Lovech grabbed the lead, they had a second player sent off for a penalty kick foul on the edge of halftime. At this point, Oranges boss Ljupko Petrovic stormed onto the field to order his charges to the locker room, incurring the automatic forfeit. The result kept the visitors – who could still be hit with additional penalties – five points shy of the summit.
Finally, in Scotland's Championship, Gedion Zelalam put in 61 minutes of work as Rangers clawed back near time for a 2-2 home share with Greenrock Morton. Although the Light Blues kissed an eight-game Ibrox win streak goodbye, they remain three points clear at the top of the table.
