In the English Premier League, Brett Holman played 74 minutes and provided an assist in Aston Villa’s disappointing 1-1 draw with fellow strugglers Norwich. On 27 minutes, Holman found some space down the left and whipped in a ball on his non-preferred left foot which found Christian Benteke who finished coolly past Norwich ‘keeper John Ruddy. Chris Herd made his return to the Villa line-up, showcasing his versatility with a solid 90 minutes in the heart of the Villa defence.

Adam Federici returned to the Reading match-day squad, but could only look on from the bench as Reading drew 3-3 with Mark Schwarzer’s Fulham. Schwarzer could do little about the three goals conceded but did make a crucial double save in second half stoppage time to preserve a point for Fulham.

Brad Jones put in a full shift between the sticks in Liverpool’s controversial 2-2 draw with Everton. Jones, who kept his spot despite regular number one Pepe Reina returning to full fitness, was perhaps at fault for Everton’s first goal on 22 minutes, as his punch from Leighton Baines’ corner fell straight into the danger area where Leon Osman lashed home. Jones was also in action on Thursday in the Europa League, keeping a clean sheet as Liverpool beat Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala 1-0.

In the English Championship, Scott McDonald was the hero for Middlesbrough, scoring twice as Boro came from behind to beat Bolton 2-1. McDonald, a 22nd minute substitute following an injury to Marvin Emnes, found the net on 66 minutes with a typical poachers finish after Bolton ‘keeper Adam Bogdan had parried Ishmael Miller’s low drive. McDonald struck again on 84 minutes with a glancing header from Emmanuel Ledesma’s cross. Boro manager Tony Mowbray praised McDonald after the game, saying, "He could have done no more, he's been a joy to work with in recent weeks and he's getting his rewards and I'm delighted”. Rhys Williams missed the clash through injury.

Elsewhere, Mile Jedinak played the full 90 minutes as Crystal Palace made it 10 games unbeaten with a 2-1 win at Leicester, while Shane Lowry put in a full shift in defence as Millwall thumped Huddersfield 4-0.

Neil Kilkenny was absent with a hamstring problem as Bristol City lost 2-1 to Hull City.

In League One, Dean Bouzanis put in a man of the match performance as a 10-man Oldham held Crawley Town to a 1-1 draw. Bouzanis made two stunning saves in the final 10 minutes to help his side earn a point. James Wesolowski also played a full match while Alex Cisak was an unused substitute.

Shane Cansdell-Sherriff played the full 90 minutes as Preston North End drew 1-1 with Tranmere Rovers. Bailey Wright wasn’t in the Preston match-day squad.

In the League Two, James Meredith put in a full shift as Bradford City lost 1-0 at Burton Albion, while Aaron Downes played the full 90 minutes as Torquay beat Morecambe 1-0.

Elsewhere, Jamie Young kept a clean sheet as Aldershot played out a 0-0 draw with Dagenham & Redbridge.

In the Scottish Premier League, Ryan McGowan put in a full shift as Hearts drew 2-2 with Ross County. McGowan had a chance to open the scoring on 15 minutes, but his diving header was cleared off the line. Dylan McGowan was an unused substitute in the clash.

Elsewhere, Alex Baird was an unused substitute as Dundee FC remained bottom following a 2-0 loss to Aberdeen.

In the Scottish Second Division, Marc Warren put in a full shift as Airdrie United scored twice late in the second half to secure a 4-3 with over Dumbarton.

In the Scottish Third Division, Francesco Stella was absent from the match-day squad as Rangers beat Clyde FC 2-0.

In the Dutch Eredivisie, Tommy Oar and Adam Sarota both put in full shifts as FC Utrecht beat FC Groningen 1-0. Sarota was the more industrious of the 2, particularly in the first half where he provided a good opportunity for striker Jacob Mulenga with a pin-point cross. Sarota also went close to finding the back of the net late in the first half as his stinging shot from a tight angle just missed the target. Michael Zullo was an unused substitute in the clash.

Elsewhere, Travis Cooper was absent from the match-day squad as VVV Venlo lost 4-1 to NAC Breda.

Jason Davidson returned to the match-day squad after an injury layoff but could only watch from the bench as Heracles beat SC Heerenveen 6-3.

In the Dutch Second Division, Corey Gameiro was absent from the match-day squad as FC Eindhoven beat Sparta Rotterdam 3-0.

In the German Bundesliga, Robbie Kruse put in a full shift but was relatively quiet as Fortuna Dusseldorf endured a second half capitulation, losing 4-1 at home to Wolfsburg.

Nikita Rukavytsya returned to the FSV Mainz starting line-up, playing 61 minutes in Mainz’s 3-0 win over Hoffenheim. Rukavytsya was involved in the build up for the first goal, laying off a pass which then played down the left where Junior Diaz’s cross was nodded home by Adam Szalai.

Elsewhere, Mitch Langerak was an unused substitute as Borussia Dortmund beat SC Freiburg 2-0.

In the German Second Division, Mathew Leckie scored his first league goal for FSV Frankfurt in their 3-1 win over Jahn Regensburg. Leckie, who played 75 minutes, struck the games opener on 13 minutes, striking home at the back post after a cross from Yannick Stark.

In the German Third Division, Mustafa Amini put in a full shift as Borussia Dortmund II played out a 0-0 draw with Hansa Rostock.

In the Italian Serie A, James Troisi was a 77th minute substitute as Atalanta played out a dire 0-0 draw with Pescara.

In the Serie B, Carl Valeri was an unused substitute as Sassuolo beat Juve Stabia 1-0. Valeri hasn’t seen game-time for the promotion candidates since late August.

In Austria, James Holland played the full 90 minutes as Austria Wien scored twice in second half stoppage time to secure a stunning 6-4 win over Admira.

In Denmark, Brent McGrath was a 22nd minute substitute in Brondby’s 1-1 draw with FC Midtjylland.

In the Belgian Second Division, Kofi Danning made a rare start, playing 57 minutes in CS Vise’s 1-1 draw with Oudenaarde.

In the Greek Super League, Apostolis Giannou was an 80th minute substitute as PAOK drew 0-0 with AO Kerkyra.

In Portugal, goalkeeper Caleb Patterson-Sewell was an unused substitute as Vitoria Setubal lost 2-1 to Vitoria Guimaraes.

In Russia, Luke Wilkshire put in a full shift for Dinamo Moscow as they beat Krylia Sovetov Samara 1-0.

In Serbia, Eli Babalj was a 64th minute substitute as Red Star Belgrade beat Donji Srem 2-1. Matthew Byrne played the final eight minutes for Donji Srem.

In Croatia, Tomi Juric started and played 64 minutes as Inter Zapresic came from behind to beat Lokomotiva Zagreb 3-2.

Elsewhere, Steven Lustica was an 87th minute substitute as Hajduk Split beat RNK Split 1-0.

In the Czech Republic, Kerem Bulut wasn’t in the match-day squad as Mlada Boleslav beat FC Brno 1-0.

In the J-League, Josh Kennedy remained out with a back injury as Nagoya Grampus drew 1-1 with Yokohama F Marinos.

Jade North was missing as relegated Consadole Sapporo were hammered 5-0 by FC Tokyo.

In Korea, Matt McKay played the full 90 minutes as Busan I’Park went down 2-1 to Adrian Madaschi’s Jeju United. Madaschi missed the clash through suspension.

Alex Wilkinson returned to the Jeonbuk Motors starting line-up, playing the full 90 minutes as Jeonbuk drew 1-1 with FC Seoul.

Eddy Bosnar put in a full shift in defence as Suwon Bluewings drew 0-0 with UIsan Hyundai.

Robert Cornthwaite played the full 90 minutes as Chunnam Dragons drew 2-2 with Seongnam. Matt Simon & Brendan Hamill weren’t in the match-day squad for their respective sides.

Elsewhere, Nathan Burns was again absent from the match-day squad as Incheon United beat Gwangju FC 3-2., while Luke Devere was absent from the Gyeongnam side which were thumped 4-0 by Pohang Steelers.

In the Chinese Super League, Dino Djulbic continued his hot form in front of goal, scoring for the third consecutive match as Guizhou Renhe drew 1-1 with Tianjin Teda. Djulbic, continuing his remarkable transformation to a striker, latched onto a long ball and nodded the ball past the advancing goalkeeper. Milan Susak was missing from the Tianjin side.

Daniel Mullen put in a full shift at right-back as Dalian Aerbin continued their quest for an Asian Champions League berth with a 0-0 draw with Shanghai Shenhua. Joel Griffiths also played the full 90 minutes in the clash and had a good chance in the first half, but could only find the side netting from inside the area.

In the Qatar Stars League, Mark Bresciano put in a full shift as Al Gharafa drew 1-1 with Sasa Ognenovski’s Umm Salal. Ognenovski played the full 90 minutes for Salal.

Matt Spiranovic put in a full shift in defence as Al Arabi drew 1-1 with Kharaitiyat.

In the UAE, Richard Porta’s hot form continued, scoring as Dubai drew 1-1 with Al Nasr. Porta struck the games opener on 15 minutes, heading home from a corner.

Elsewhere, Lucas Neill played 90 minutes as Al Wasl drew 1-1 with Al Dhafra.

Finally in the USA, Tim Cahill played the full 90 minutes in the centre of midfield in New York Red Bulls’ 3-0 win over Philadelphia. Cahill won a penalty after 10 minutes which was converted by Kenny Cooper.