In the English Premier League, Mark Schwarzer had an afternoon to forget with a nervy performance in Fulham’s loss 1-0 at Stoke City. While Schwarzer did make a fine save to deny Robert Huth’s header in the second half and was not directly responsible for the goal, he made several aerial errors, including dropping two high balls and fluffing several punches. However Stoke were unable to make him pay for the blunders beyond their winning goal.

Adam Federici played the full 90 minutes as Reading suffered a heart-breaking 3-2 loss to Wigan Athletic. Federici made an excellent stop to deny Franco Di Santo early in the second half but could have perhaps done better for Wigan’s first goal, as he could only parry Jordi Gomez’s initial shot straight back to the feet of the Spaniard who fired home into the top corner.

Elsewhere, Brett Holman came on in the 63rd minute in Aston Villa’s dour 0-0 draw with Arsenal. In a game lacking any attacking quality, Holman made an impact off the bench and could have scored on 78 minutes as his 25 metre rocket was tipped onto the cross-bar by Wojciech Szczesny.

Brad Jones was an unused substitute as Liverpool played out a 0-0 draw with Swansea. Jones was also an unused substitute in the Europa League on Thursday as Liverpool drew 2-2 at home to BSC Young Boys.

In the English Championship, Neil Kilkenny played 79 minutes as Bristol City secured a shock 3-1 away win to high flying Middlesbrough. Kilkenny had an industrious shift and provided an attacking outlet in midfield while also clearing a ball on his own goal-line with the game precariously placed at 1-1. Scott McDonald surprisingly started on the bench for Boro, entering the fray in the 61st minute but was unable to make an impact.

Elsewhere, Mile Jedinak played the full 90 minutes as Crystal Palace’s 14 match unbeaten run came to an end with a 2-1 loss to Leeds United, while Patrick Kisnorbo was absent from the Leeds match-day squad.

Shane Lowry played the full 90 minutes and picked up a second half booking as Millwall moved into the promotion playoffs places following a 2-0 win over Blackburn Rovers.

In League One, Dean Bouzanis kept a clean sheet as Oldham Athletic scored late to beat Shrewsbury 1-0. James Wesolowski returned from suspension to play 90 minutes for Oldham.

Alex Cisak made his debut for Portsmouth after joining on loan from Oldham as Pompey snatched a dramatic late equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Coventry. Cisak impressed on debut, making a string of good saves, including a superb stop from Gary McSheffrey’s free kick.

Bradden Inman was another Aussie to move on loan during the week, joining Crewe Alexandra from Newcastle United,but was an unused substitute as Crewe beat Crawley Town 2-0.

In League Two, James Meredith played the full 90 minutes for Bradford City in their 3-3 draw with Bristol Rovers. Former Melbourne Heart defender Curtis Good, who joined Bradford midweek on loan from Newcastle United, wasn’t in the match-day squad due to a hamstring complaint.

Elsewhere Aaron Downes put in a full shift in defence as Torquay returned to winning ways, beating York City 2-0, while Jamie Young played the full 90 minutes in goal as Aldershot Town lost 3-1 to Port Vale.

Elsewhere, Bailey Wright started and played 58 minutes as Preston North End lost 2-0 at Leyton Orient. Shane Cansdell-Sherriff was an unused substitute on his return from injury.

In the Scottish Premier League, brothers Ryan McGowan and Dylan McGowan both put in full shifts as Hearts played out a 0-0 draw with Motherwell. Ryan had a chance to snatch all 3 points at the death but saw his header flash just wide of the far post.

Elsewhere, Alex Baird was an unused substitute as Dundee FC lost 3-1 to St Mirren.

In the Scottish Second Division, Marc Warren played the full 90 minutes as Airdrie United played out a 0-0 draw with Raith Rovers.

In the German Bundesliga, Robbie Kruse was again a standout for Fortuna Dusseldorf, scoring the game’s opener in first half stoppage time as Dusseldorf beat Hamburg 2-0. Kruse received the ball in the box following a counter attack and beat Hamburg ‘keeper Rene Adler at his near post via a slight deflection. Kruse was replaced after 84 minutes and received a standing ovation from the Dusseldorf faithful.

Elsewhere, Nikita Rukavytsya came on in the 64th minute as FSV Mainz lost 2-1 to Mitch Langerak’s Borussia Dortmund. Rukavytsya had a chance in the final minutes to snatch a point as he connected with Zdenek Pospech’s cross but his header couldn’t beat Dortmund ‘keeper Roman Weidenfeller. Langerak was an unused substitute in the clash.  

In the German Second Division, Mathew Leckie played the full 90 minutes for FSV Frankfurt in their 1-0 loss to Kaiserslautern.

In the German Third Division, Mustafa Amini started and played 84 minutes as Borussia Dortmund II lost 2-0 to Stuttgart II.

In the Dutch Eredivisie, Tommy Oar put in a full shift as FC Utrecht suffered a 2-0 loss to NEC Nijmegen. Oar was lively for the 90 minutes and delivered a super cross for Jacob Mulenga who couldn’t direct his header on target. Oar then found space in the box but his effort on goal was saved by NEC ‘keeper Gabor Babos. Adam Sarota returned from injury and played 76 minutes in the clash, while Michael Zullo was an unused substitute.

Elsewhere, Jason Davidson was an unused substitute as Heracles beat Willem II 2-0, while Travis Cooper was absent from the match-day squad as VVV Venlo drew 1-1 with SC Heerenveen.

In Austria, James Holland was sent off for two bookable offences in Austria Wien’s 3-1 win over Mattersburg and will miss next week’s top of the table clash against Red Bull Salzburg.

In Denmark, Brent McGrath was a 73rd minute substitute as Brondby beat AC Horsens 2-0.

In the Belgian Second Division, Kofi Danning was an unused substitute as CS Vise lost 1-0 to Lommel United.

In the Italian Serie A, James Troisi was an unused substitute as Atalanta lost 1-0 at home to Genoa.

In the Serie B, Carl Valeri was again absent from the match-day squad as Sassuolo remained top following a 3-1 win over Reggina.

In the Greek Super League, Apostolis Giannou was absent from the match-day squad as PAOK drew 1-1 with Olympiakos.

In Russia, Luke Wilkshire was absent through injury as Dinamo Moscow thumped rivals Spartak Moscow 5-1, a result which saw Spartak sack their manager.

In Croatia, Steven Lustica was absent from the match-day squad as Hajduk Split drew 0-0 with NK Osijek, while Tomi Juric was also absent as Inter Zapresic lost 2-1 to HNK Rijeka.

In Serbia, Eli Babalj was an unused substitute as Red Star Belgrade came from behind to beat Sloboda Uzice 2-1. Matthew Byrne was absent from the Donji Srem side that lost 3-2 to Hajduk Kula.

In the Czech Republic, Kerem Bulut was absent from the match-day squad as Mlada Boleslav beat Ceske Budejovice 1-0.

In the UAE Pro-League, Alex Brosque was on the scoresheet as Al Ain remained at the top of the table following a 5-2 win over Richard Porta’s Dubai. Brosque scored his side’s second goal on 14 minutes, latching onto a long ball and firing a stunning effort on his non preferred right foot into the top left corner from the edge of the box. Brosque nearly found the back of the net again before half time but was denied by Dubai ‘keeper Jamal Abdallah Ali, only for Omar Abdulrahman to arrive first to lash the ball home. Porta also found the back of the net, scoring the game’s final goal on 84 minutes, capitalising on some poor goalkeeping to tap the ball home from close range following a cross from Mohamed Ismail.

Elsewhere, Nick Carle played 90 minutes and provided an assist as Baniyas hammered Ajman Club 5-0. Carle’s pierced the Ajman defence with a delightful through-ball which was calmly finished by Mohammed Fawzi. Meanwhile, Lucas Neill picked up an ankle injury and had to be replaced after 12 minutes as Al Wasl lost 2-1 to Al Shabab.

In Qatar, Mark Bresciano put in a full shift as Al Gharafa were thumped 5-1 by Rayyan SC. Elsewhere, Sasa Ognenovski played the full 90 minutes in defence as Umm Salal beat Al Arabi 3-1, who were without Matt Spiranovic.

In the K-League, Adrian Madaschi played the full 90 minutes as Jeju United drew 2-2 with Ulsan Hyundai. Alex Wilkinson’s extended run in the side continued, playing 90 minutes in Jeonbuk’s 1-0 loss to FC Seoul.

 Robbie Cornthwaite came off the bench in the 87th minute as Chunnam Dragons beat Seongnam 2-0. Matt Simon was absent from the match-day squad while Brendan Hamill was absent from the Seongnam match-day squad. Meanwhile, Luke Devere was absent with a knee injury as Gyeongnam drew 3-3 with Pohang Steelers.

Eddy Bosnar was an unused substitute as Suwon Bluewings beat Matt McKay’s Busan I’Park 2-1. McKay was absent as he is back in Australia nursing a fractured cheekbone, while Nathan Burns was again absent from the match-day squad as Incheon United drew 2-2 with Daegu FC.

In the J-League, Josh Kennedy was again absent with a back injury as Nagoya Grampus’ hopes of a Asian Champions League spot suffered a blow with a 2-1 loss to Kashima Antlers. Nagoya will need to beat Urawa Red Diamonds in the final game next Saturday and rely on other results to go their way to earn the third and final Champions League spot.

Elsewhere, Jade North was absent from the match-day squad as Consadole Sapporo lost 2-0 at home to Yokohama F. Marinos.