Scott McDonald provided the highlight with a polished display in Middlesbrough’s shock victory while injuries and non-selection were a regular occurrence through the weekend.

In the English Premier League, Mark Schwarzer played a full game in goal as Fulham threw away a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Sunderland. Schwarzer made a fine save from Stephane Sessegnon late in the first half before the Benin international beat Schwarzer midway through the second half from the edge of the box to equalise for the Black Cats.

Adam Federici missed Reading’s 3-1 loss to Everton with an ankle injury, while Brad Jones was out with a shoulder injury as Liverpool thumped Wigan 4-0.

In the English Championship, Mile Jedinak played 90 minutes as Crystal Palace kept in touch with the automatic promotion places following a 1-0 win over Derby County. Jedinak’s tenacity played a role in the game’s only goal, winning a tackle which ricocheted near Yannick Bolasie who raced onto the ball and finished well past Derby ‘keeper Adam Legzdins. Moments later Jedinak went close to scoring himself, hitting the crossbar with a 25 metre rocket.

Scott McDonald played 90 minutes and provided an assist as Middlesbrough caused a shock, beating league-leader Cardiff City 2-1. McDonald was involved in the game’s opener on 13 minutes, feeding Ishmael Miller with a well-weighted chipped pass who in-turn found Kieron Dyer who tapped home. Minutes later, McDonald found Sammy Ameobi who scored a wonderful solo goal, beating 2 defenders before firing the ball past David Marshall. McDonald nearly scored a third for Boro on the stroke of half-time, but his deflected shot was well saved by Marshall. Rhys Williams was an unused substitute for Boro.

Shane Lowry returned from suspension, playing 90 minutes as Millwall lost 1-0 to Leeds United. Lowry gave away a penalty in the first half, clipping Sam Byram inside the box, however Ross McCormack saw his resulting spot-kick well saved by David Forde.

Elsewhere, Neil Kilkenny was an unused substitute as Bristol City drew 0-0 with Blackpool, while Patrick Kisnorbo was an unused substitute as Ipswich Town beat Leicester City 1-0. Kisnorbo has not seen any league game-time since his loan-move to Ipswich and has been linked with a switch to China.

In League One, Bailey Wright played a full game in defence as Preston North End drew 1-1 with MK Dons.

Dean Bouzanis was left out of the Oldham Athletic side that lost 2-o to Sheffield United. Owls boss Tony Philliskirk refused to go into the situation after the game, simply stating “it’s an internal matter that has been dealt with.” Alex Cisak replaced Bouzanis in goal but made a major blunder in the second half, flapping at Tony McMahon’s free-kick which left a simple header for Dave Kitson to score. James Wesolowski started and played 64 minutes in the clash, while Liam Jacob was an unused substitute.

Elsewhere, Bradden Inman was missing through injury as Crewe Alexandra lost 2-1 to bottom placed Portsmouth.

In League Two, Shane Cansdell-Sherriff played a full game as Rochdale lost 3-0 to Morecambe, while Jamie Young played a full game in goal as Aldershot Town drew 1-1 with Gillingham. Ryan Williams was an unused substitute for the Gills.

Elsewhere, Aaron Downes was absent with a hamstring injury as Torquay United drew 0-0 with Accrington Stanley, while Curtis Good & James Meredith were absent from the Bradford City side that beat York City 2-0.

In Scotland, Tom Rogic was left out of the Celtic side that beat St Mirren 2-1 in the Quarter Final of the FA Cup, while Alex Baird was an unused substitute as Dundee FC were knocked out following a 2-1 loss to rivals Dundee United.

In the Scottish Premier League, Dylan McGowan started but had a game to forget, scoring an own goal as Hearts miserable form continued, losing 2-1 to Motherwell. McGowan did his best to block Nicky Law’s shot on goal but only succeeded in diverting the shot into the back of the net. McGowan was replaced after 51 minutes, with Hearts trailing 2-0 but they did pull one back shortly after through former Central Coast Mariners striker John Sutton.

In the Scottish Second Division, Marc Warren started but was replaced at half time as Airdrie United lost 4-1 to Livingston.

In the German Bundesliga, Robbie Kruse played a full game as Fortuna Dusseldorf drew 1-1 with FSV Mainz. Kruse went close to opening the scoring just 2 minutes in but his deflected shot just went wide of the post. Kruse then set up Axel Bellinghausen with a precise pass but the German struck the post with his shot. The former Melbourne Victory striker had 2 good opportunities in the second half but was wasteful on both occasions, finding the side netting on the hour mark before spurning a golden opportunity on 73 minutes as Kruse tamely hit a shot at Mainz ‘keeper Christian Wetklo after receiving a pass from Bellinghausen. Nikita Rukavytsya was absent from the Mainz match-day squad.

Elsewhere, Mitch Langerak was an unused substitute as Borussia Dortmund beat Hannover 96 3-1.

In the German Second Division, Mathew Leckie was an unused substitute as FSV Frankfurt drew 1-1 with FC Koln.

In the Dutch Eredivisie, Tommy Oar started and played 79 minutes as FC Utrecht lost 2-0 to Vitesse. Oar produced a moment of brilliance early in the second half, turning his opponent after receiving a pass before unleashing a fierce drive from well outside the box which was spectacularly saved by Vitesse ‘keeper Piet Velthuizen. Michael Zullo missed the clash with an ankle injury but may be fit to return next week. Adam Sarota was absent with a knee injury.

Elsewhere, Travis Cooper was absent from the VVV Venlo side that lost 2-0 to PSV Eindhoven while Jason Davidson was absent from the match-day squad as Heracles lost 3-1 to ADO Den Haag.

In Austria, James Holland played 90 minutes in midfield as Austria Wien hammered Wacker Innsbruck 4-0.

In Denmark, Brent McGrath was absent from the match-day squad as Brondby lost 2-0 to Randers.

In the Belgian Second Division, Kofi Danning was absent with a knee injury as CS Vise lost 4-1 to KV Oosstende.

In the Italian Serie A, James Troisi was an unused substitute as Atalanta beat Siena 2-0.

In the Serie B, Carl Valeri was absent as Sassuolo lost 2-0 to Valeri’s former side Grosseto.

In the Greek Super League, Giannis Simosis was an unused substitute as AO Kerkyra beat Platanias 2-1.

In Turkey, Kerem Bulut was an unused substitute as Akhisar Belediyespor lost 1-0 to Elazigspor, while Aziz Behich was absent from the match-day as Bursapor beat Sivasspor 1-0.

In Portugal, Caleb Patterson-Sewell was an unused substitute as Vitoria Setubal lost 2-0 to Pacos de Ferreira.

In Korea, Robbie Cornthwaite came off the bench for the final 20 minutes as Chunnam Dragons opened up the new season with a 1-0 loss to Jeju United, who were without the injured Adrian Madaschi. Matt Simon was absent from the Chunnam match-day squad.

Eddy Bosnar played a full game in defence as Suwon Bluewings showed no ill-effects from their midweek trip to Australia with a 2-1 win over Seongnam. Brendan Hamill was absent from the Seongnam match-day squad.

Alex Wilkinson was an unused substitute as Jeonbuk Motors beat Daejeon Citizen 3-1, while neither Nathan Burns nor Luke Devere were involved as Burns’ Incheon United played out a 0-0 draw with Devere’s Gyeongnam.

In Japan, Josh Kennedy was absent from the Nagoya Grampus side that drew 1-1 with Jubilo Iwata.

In the UAE, Dino Djulbic played a full game in defence as Al Wahda beat Al Shaab 1-0, while Nick Carle returned to the starting line-up, playing 77 minutes as Baniyas beat lowly Dibba Al Fujairah 2-1.

Richard Porta played a full game as Dubai’s dismal form continued, losing 4-1 to Al Nasr. Dubai have won just once in their past 16 games in all competitions, while Alex Brosque started and played 89 minutes as Al Ain beat Al Jazira 1-0.

In the MLS, Tim Cahill played the full 90 minutes as the New York Red Bulls threw away a 3-1 lead to draw 3-3 with the Portland Timbers. Cahill went close to scoring in the first half with a well timed run into the box following a set piece with the ball just evading his out-stretched foot only inches from the goal-line, however Colombian defender Jamison Olave was on hand to tap home at the back post.

Elsewhere, Andy Rose started and played 61 minutes as the Seattle Sounders lost 1-0 to Montreal Impact.