AMSTERDAM – Sunderland loan defender DeAndre Yedlin enjoyed both a solid full outing at right back and his first taste of a Premier League derby victory in Sunday's 3-0 blanking of visiting arch nemesis Newcastle.
The US international once again displayed worth in possession, completing 21 of 25 passes with right link-ups in or into the attacking half. Yedlin rounded out his effort with a game-high six clearances on top of two tackles, an area shot block and a cross smother. Thanks ot their first win of the season, the Black Cats jumped two rungs out of the cellar.
In nearby Scotland, Gedion Zelalam worked 61 minutes as Rangers remained eight points above the Championship pack with a 1-0 victory at St. Mirren. The young American could have notched a helper from a fine first half set-up, but the home netminder foiled his teammate in front of goal.
To Germany, where Fabian Johnson and Borussia Mönchengladbach continued their roll with a 3-1 Bundesliga defeat of derby visitors Schalke on Sunday evening.
The winger, who worked all 90 minutes, could have notched an early assist were it not for an eighth minute line clearance on teammate Raffael's finishing effort. Johnson had another cutback set-up result in Lars Stindl denied by an excellent save with the game still in doubt 15 minutes from time.
On the night, Johnson completed 25 of 33 passes and added four key defensive stops. With five straight wins on the ledger, 'Gladbach climbed to seventh place.
One level down, Andrew Wooten was not alone in having a quiet day as Sandhausen fought hosts Arminia Bielefeld to a dreary 0-0 stalemate.
The right winger only caused a couple of danger moments before being replaced in the 72nd minute. Seventh place Sandhausen saw their three-game win streak end, but remain unbeaten in five.
Also, Caleb Stanko went unused as Freiburg fell 1-0 at St. Pauli. It was the leaders' first league loss in over two months and shaved their edge on Terrence Boyd's RB Leipzig to a single point.
Turning to Norway's Tippeligaen, Ethan Horvath ran his league win streak to three and his overall run to four victories in a row following seventh place Molde FK's 2-1 decision at Aalesunds FK.
The youngster made a highlight-reel stop on six minutes, but could only push a 39th minute Leke James drive into his net off the post. Molde scored the go-ahead goal 14 minutes from time and Horvath commanded his area from there with two cross captures and a big punch.
Elsewhere, Zarek Valentinand Bodø/Glimt struggled in a 3-0 home loss to Lillestrøm. Now winless in four, they dropped to ninth place.
All title ambitions of Bob Bradley's Stabæk were officially ended by A.J. Soares and Viking, who kept their Europa League hopes alive and kicking with a late 2-1 winner. Cole Grossman went the distance for the Blue Ones, who dropped to third place and now stand just three points up on Viking with two rounds to play.
Greg Seltzer covers Americans based in Europe for MLSsoccer.com.
