Former A-League stars Robbie Kruse and Mathew Leckie both scored doubles, while Nikita Rukavytsya scored his first goal since March last year. Elsewhere, Scott McDonald scored his first goal for his new club, while Rhys Williams was sent off for Middlesbrough.

In the German Bundesliga, Robbie Kruse put in a man of the match performance on his starting debut with a brace and an assist in Bayer Leverkusen’s 4-1 win over FSV Mainz. With regular left-winger Heung-Min Son rested following Leverkusen’s midweek Champions League clash with Manchester United, Kruse made the most of his opportunity with a devastating first half performance. Kruse opened the scoring on 19 minutes with a neat finish on the outside of his foot after latching onto Sidney Sam’s well weighted pass. Kruse then turned provider, feeding Lars Bender whose deflected effort from outside the box made it 2-0. Kruse scored his second on the stroke of half time with a fine finish on his left foot across the keeper from inside the box.

Elsewhere, Mitch Langerak was an unused substitute as Borussia Dortmund drew 1-1 with FC Nurnberg.

In the German Second Division, Mathew Leckie starred with a brace and an assist in FSV Frankfurt’s 4-1 win over FC Ingolstadt. Leckie opened the scoring on 21 minutes with a classy finish on his left foot after receiving a cross from Joni Kauko. 20 minutes later, Leckie showcased his pace and power with a superb run down the left before cutting it back for Michael Gorlitz to hammer home. Leckie made it a double on 53 minutes, reacting quickest to score after ‘keeper Ramazan Ozcan parried his initial shot. Leckie was replaced on 63 minutes by fellow Aussie Nikita Rukavytsya, with the former Glory speedster missing a golden opportunity just moments after coming on. Rukavytsya recovered from his earlier miss to open his account for Frankfurt with his second opportunity on 87 minutes, showcasing his speed to beat two opponents and finish past Ozcan.

In the German Third Division, Mustafa Amini started and played 89 minutes as Borussia Dortmund II drew 1-1 with FC Saarbrucken.

In the English Premier League, Mile Jedinak played a full game in midfield as Crystal Palace lost 2-0 to Swansea City.

Mark Schwarzer was an unused substitute as Chelsea beat Fulham 2-0.

Elsewhere, Brad Jones was an unused substitute as Liverpool suffered a shock 1-0 loss to Southampton, while Chris Herd was absent from the match-day squad as Aston Villa beat Norwich 1-0.

In the English Championship, Scott McDonald scored his first goal for Millwall in the Lions 1-0 win over local rivals Charlton Athletic. McDonald’s winner came on 37 minutes, with his low drive taking a deflection and wrong-footing Charlton ‘keeper Ben Hamer. Shane Lowry missed the clash through suspension.  

Rhys Williams was sent off as Middlesbrough drew 3-3 with Bournemouth. Williams’ horror afternoon began after just four minutes when he gave away a penalty for a foul on Tokelo Rantie, with Brett Pitman converted the penalty. Williams was perhaps lucky not to give away another penalty midway through the second half for a rash challenge but ran out of luck on 84 minutes when he was sent off after fouling Cherries striker Wes Thomas who was through on goal.

Elsewhere, Adam Federici was an unused substitute as Reading beat Derby County 3-1, while Alex Cisak was an unused substitute as Burnley beat Leeds United 2-1.

In League One, Massimo Luongo continued his good form with an assist as Swindon Town beat Bristol City 3-2. With his side trailing 2-1, Luongo’s cross found Nicky Ajose who scored his second goal of the game from close range. Neil Kilkenny was absent from the Bristol match-day squad.

James Meredith played a full game at left-back as Bradford City beat Gillingham 1-0.

Bradden Inman played a full game as Crewe Alexandra drew 1-1 with Oldham Athletic. James Wesolowski played a full game in midfield for Oldham.

Elsewhere, Bailey Wright played a full game as Preston North End continued their good form with a 1-0 win over Sheffield United. Shane Cansdell-Sherriff was absent from the Preston match-day squad.

In League Two, Aaron Downes played a full game in defence as Torquay United beat Cheltenham 4-2.

Elsewhere, Ryan Williams was an unused substitute as Oxford United lost 1-0 to Chesterfield.

In the Scottish Premier League, Tom Rogic was an unused substitute as Celtic beat St Johnstone 2-1. Rogic has seen just 87 minutes of game-time in Celtic’s six league games this season.

Elsewhere, Jackson Irvine played a full game in midfield as Kilmarnock drew 1-1 with Partick Thistle, while Dylan McGowan played a full game at right-back as Hearts conceded two late goals to lose 2-1 to Ross County.

In the Italian Serie A, Carl Valeri remained out through injury as Sassuolo copped a 7-0 thumping from Inter Milan.

Elsewhere, James Troisi was absent from the matchday squad as Atalanta lost 2-0 to Fiorentina.

In the Russian Premier League, Luke Wilkshire played a full game at right-back as Dinamo Moscow lost 3-1 to Lokomotiv Moscow.

In the Dutch Eredivisie, Jason Davidson played a full game at left-back as Heracles lost 3-0 to FC Twente. Davidson made a superb last-ditch tackle in the first half when Twente forward Luc Castaignos looked certain to score.

Tommy Oar started and played 58 minutes as FC Utrecht lost 1-0 to Feyenoord. Adam Sarota missed the clash with a knee injury.  

Elsewhere, Eli Babalj was absent through injury as AZ Alkmaar lost 3-0 to NAC Breda.

In the Dutch Second Division, Travis Cooper was a 68th minute substitute as VVV Venlo lost 2-0 to FC Emmen.

In Belgium, Mat Ryan kept a clean-sheet as Club Brugge hammered reigning champions Anderlecht 4-0. Ryan was barely called upon as Brugge controlled the game from start to finish.   

In Switzerland, Oliver Bozanic started and played a full game as FC Luzern beat BSC Young Boys 1-0.

Elsewhere, Dario Vidosic played a full game as 10-man FC Sion lost 3-1 to FC Basel.

In Austria, James Holland played a full game in midfield as Austria Wien beat Sturm Graz 2-1.

In the Turkish Second Division, Kerem Bulut started and played 71 minutes as Karsiyaka beat Manisaspor 3-2. Bulut has joined Karsiyaka on loan from Akhisar Belediyespor.

In the Greek Super League, Apostolos Giannou started and played 63 minutes as Panionios drew 1-1 with Ergotelis Creta.

In the Greek Second Division, Billy Konstantinidis found the back of the net for Panserraikos in their 1-0 win over Nestos.

In the American MLS, Tim Cahill returned from injury, playing a full game in midfield as the New York Red Bulls beat FC Dallas 1-0. David Carney played a full game at left-back and went close to scoring from a free-kick on 13 minutes after Cahill had drawn a foul, with Carney’s effort curling just wide.  

In the J-League, Lucas Neill played a full game in defence as Omiya Ardija lost 2-0 to Vegalta Sendai, while Josh Kennedy played a full game as Nagoya Grampus lost 2-0 to Tokyo FC.

In the K-League Classic, Alex Wilkinson continued his excellent form with another strong performance in defence as Jeonbuk Motors beat Busan I’Park 1-0.

Elsewhere, Robbie Cornthwaite was a 75th minute substitute as Chunnam Dragons drew 2-2 with Daejeon Citizen, while Luke Devere was absent from the match-day squad as Gyeongnam beat Daegu FC 3-0.

In the Chinese Super League, Ryan McGowan played a full game in defence as Shandong Luneng beat Shanghai SIPG 1-0. Daniel McBreen played a full game for Shanghai in the clash, while Bernie Ibini started and played 50 minutes. McBreen and Ibini linked up well in the first half with Ibini whipping in a decent cross but McBreen blasted the shot over from close range.

Erik Paartalu played a full game in midfield as Tianjin Teda beat Beijing Guoan 1-0. Paartalu looked set to score in the first half, reacting quickest after Beijing ‘keeper Yang Zhi parried a shot, but Zhi made a fine block from Paartalu’s shot, only for Carmelo Valencia to lash home the rebound. 

Daniel Mullen played a full game in defence as Dalian Aerbin suffered a shock 2-0 loss to lowly Changchun Yatai.

Jonas Salley played a full game in defence as Guizhou Renhe beat Guangzhou R&F 5-3. Salley was extremely unlucky to give away a penalty after just 5 minutes for a foul on former English Premier League star Yakubu, with replays showing minimal contact. Eddy Bosnar played a full game for Guangzhou, while Rostyn Griffiths started and played 58 minutes.

Elsewhere, Michael Marrone played a full game as Shanghai Shenxin beat Qingdao Jonoon 1-0. Marrone, who made his name in the A-League as a right-back, has played the majority of this season in a holding midfield role. Joel Griffiths was absent from the Qingdao match-day squad.

In the UAE, Alex Brosque returned from injury, coming on in the 72nd minute as Al Ain recorded their first win of the season, beating Ajman Club 2-1.

Brett Holman played a full game as Al Nasr beat Al Shaab 2-1, while Milan Susak played a full game in defence as Al Wasl beat Al Jazira 3-2.

In the Qatar Stars League, Mark Bresciano played a full game in midfield as Al Gharafa played out a 0-0 draw with Khor.

Elsewhere, Sasa Ognenovski was missing through suspension as Umm Salal played out a 0-0 draw with Al Jaish.

In India, former Brisbane Roar midfielder James Meyer found the back of the net for Pune FC in their 3-1 win over Mohammedan. 

FOLLOW THE ACTION WITH OUR STATS ZONE APP FOR iPHONE - GET IT FREE HERE