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Steven Pienaar and Andrew Surman shine in England
Pienaar, Surman shine in England
Posted: 2012-02-06 09:45
Steven Pienaar made a successful return for Everton on Saturday, Andrew Surman scored yet another English Premiership goal, and Tsepo Masilela put in a good shift against Real Madrid as South Africans shone in Europe this weekend.
Bafana Bafana skipper Pienaar was handed a starting berth by Everton coach David Moyes following his loan return to the club from Tottenham Hotspur and was described by his boss as the best player on the pitch in the 1-1 draw at Wigan Athletic.
“Steven Pienaar was the best Everton player. He came back and looked as if he hadn't been away,” Moyes said. “He was involved in a lot of bits where we looked as if we were on the verge of making things happen but things just broke down around the edge of the box, but Steven Pienaar played really well.”
Pienaar was delighted too, tweeting: “Fantastic getting 90 minutes under my belt. Would have liked a winning return but I'm sure we will make up for it next game.”
That next game is against Chelsea this coming weekend, where he will hope to add to his first League start since May.
Surman netted his fourth goal in 14 starts on the left-wing for Norwich City as they claimed another scalp in the form of Bolton Wanderers, winning 2-0. He continues to impress.
In the Championship, Kagisho Dikgacoi played the full 90 minutes as he helped his Crystal Palace side to a good 0-0 away draw at high-flying Middlesborough.
Aaron Mokoena’s Portsmouth had their game with Hull City postponed due to the weather, while Kgosi Ntlhe (Peterborough United) and Davide Somma (Leeds United) were not involved with their clubs; the latter still to fully recover from a knee injury.
In Spain, Masilela played the full game as Getafe lost 1-0 at home to city rivals Real Madrid, despite being troubled by a thigh injury. It will have yet another fine learning experience for the Bafana left-back in what many consider the best league in the world.
In Belgium, Daylon Claasen and Lance Davids both started for Lierse as they lost 2-0 at home to Standard Liege. Siboniso Gaxa was suspended.
Ayanda Patosi also started for Lokeren as they won 3-1 at home to Mons, but goalkeeper Darren Keet was back on the bench for Kortrijk in their 0-0 draw away at Mechelen.
Anele Ngcongca was on the receiving end of a 4-2 defeat for Genk on Sunday as they stumbled away at Anderlecht on Sunday, and the defending champions now have some work to do to make the championship play-offs. The top six teams compete in those.
Dino Ndlovu played for Israeli side Bnei Yehuda in their 1-1 draw with Hapoel Nir, but there is still no sign of Bevan Fransman for Hapoel Tel Aviv. He has not played for them since December 5.
Calvin Kadi had his midweek and weekend games postponed in Greece as players there embark on a strike over health insurance for players.
Bradley Grobler missed the match for his Turkish second tier side Goztepe through injury as they drew 1-1 with Çaykur Rizespor.
It was back to the bench for Kamohelo Mokotjo for Feyenoord following the return of Moroccan international Karim El Ahmadi from the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.
He came on as a second-half sub in the 2-0 away win over NEC, while Thulani Serero continues to be sidelines as struggling Ajax Amsterdam, who lost again this weekend, at home to Utrecht.
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: 2012-02-06 12:59
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