We begin with England where Yaya Toure stole the headlines with his delectable last-minute free-kick goal in Manchester City’s comprehensive win over Crystal Palace, at the Selhurst Park.
Riyad Mahrez returned for Leicester City after Algeria’s exit from the AFCON Games and came off the bench for Okazi as City drew with Derby County in the FA Cup.
Mali’s Nouha Dicko led the line as Wolverhampton Wanderers beat Liverpool 2-1 in the same cup competition.
Kenya’s Victor Wanyama was rested as a Tottenham beat Wycombe 4-3.
Morocco’s Achraaf Lazaar formed part of Newcastle United’s team that lost to Championships side, Oxford United.
In another cup clash, Chelsea romped Bretford 4-0 without victor Moses who was left to take a breather on the bench.
Nigeria’s Hope Akpan was a crucial nut in Blackburn Rovers’ victory over Blackpool.
It was a clash of Benin internationals when Gestede’s Middleborough met compatriot, Romuad Coco’s Accrington Stanley but the former, prevailed over with Downing’s 69th minute effort to seal all points for Boro.
Elsewhere at the St Mary’s Stadium, Alex Iwobi came off the bench during Arsenal’s comfortably win over Southampton. Walcott scored a hat trick as the Gunners won 5-0.
Germany
Nabil Bentaleb, another AFCON returnee, walked straight into Schalke 04’s squad but his side bit the dust to third-placed Eintracht Frankfurt, in a game that also featured a not-so active Cameroonian, Choupo-Moting.
Marvin Matip was a shield in Ingolstadt’s defense as they downed Hamburg 3-1.
In Bremen, Gambia’s Ousman Manneh settled for a place on the bench without minutes while Lamine Sane was the coach’s priority in the back-four but Werder Bremen were no match to leaders, Bayern.
Guinea’s Naby Keita and RB Leipzig continue to turn the heat on for Munchen after edging past Hoffenheim, 2-1.
Idriss Carlos Kameni was an unmistakable regular for Malaga in their 1-1 stalemate with Osasuna.
Teenage Cameroon stars, Martin Hoglan and Mali’s Aly Malle, starred for Granada but suffered a defeat to Villarreal.
Algeria’s Aissa Mandi of Real Betis, tied with Barcelona 1-1 in another Laliga weekend duel with the Desert Foxes’ star playing all 90-minutes.
France
Ivory Coast’s Jean Michael Seri grabbed the second goal in Nice’s 3-1 win over Gunigamp.
Ryad Boudebouz was also on the score sheet but his 10-man Montpellier, would suffer a 5-1 trouncing to Marseille. His compatriot Yassine Benzia broke his jinx of 13 games without a goal and did so in a thrilling manner, scoring both goals in Lille’s 2-1 triumph over Lyon.
Playmaker and Senegal’s Issiar Dia was surprisingly benched in Nancy’s loss to Bordeaux. Diallo Guidileye, Mauritania’s national hero, had minutes for Nancy in the match.
Abdul Majeeb Waris netted his 7th goal of the season but bottom-placed Lorient, got sunk by a much spirited Dijon.
Algeria’s 35-year-old Aleaddine Yahia and Caen launched a-come-back to snatch a point against Bastia.
Ivory Coast’s Ismael Traore was found wanting after gifting away a goal when he inadvertently converted the ball into his own net, against Metz. Compatriot Nicolas Pepe would jump to the rescue scoring the winner for Angers SCO.
Congo Brazzaville’s Jules IIoki spurred Nantes to an early goal but Rennes would push for a share of the spoils, via a Gnagnon’s last-gasp goal.
Netherlands
Guinea’s Mathias Pogba had only four minutes of football after joining the fray in a league contest which Sparta Rotherdam, got pinched 3-2 by Willem II.
In Denveter, Ghana’s Elvis Manu made it to the starting line up before getting subbed in the first-half after sustaining what looked like a slight knock, as Utrecht garnered all points against Go Ahead Eagles.
Abdul Ajagun made his 17th start for Roda JC as they obliterated Excelsior 4-0.
Zimbabwe’s Marvelous Nakamba is yet to score this season but remains crucial in Vitesse’s midfield, commanding his preferred role as Anhrem eased past Imoh Fred Friday’s AZ.
Cameroon’s Andre Onana was a standout again in goal in Ajax’s trouncing of ADO DEEN HAAG.
South Africa Mokotjo starred in Twente’s slender 2-1 triumph over PEC Zwolle.
Turkey
Leonard Kweule of Cameroon plastered home his 7th goal of the campaign as Rizespor overcame Karabukspor 1-0.
Samuel Eto’o also turned on his scoring mojo to secure a brace in Antalyaspor’s 2-0 pounding of stuttering Alanyaspor. The former Barcelona forward would have made it a hat trick had the referee not flagged his initial second goal offside.
Title-hopefuls Galatasaray, rained six goals past Enoch Kofi Adu’s Akisar Beledeyspor.
Featured photo: Yaya Toure scored a majestic free kick to give Manchester City a win. (GETTY IMAGES)
