The Dutch defender has slotted straight back into the starting XI after spending two months on the sidelines with an ankle problem, and played 90 minutes in the home encounter.
Although Karim’s goal got the score back to 3-2 with minutes remaining in the clash, Eredivisie leaders Vitesse went on to triumph 6-2.
Ellis Plummer is enjoying a successful start to his loan spell with Oldham Athletic. The centre-back has won a place in the starting line-up for two weeks running, and completed 90 minutes for the Latics as League Two outfit Mansfield earned a draw to force an FA Cup replay.
Should Oldham be successful at the second attempt they face a glamour tie with Liverpool at Anfield – City’s own Reece Wabara scored the winner for the Latics as they knocked the Reds out of the competition last season.
Elsewhere, EDS striker Harry Bunn impressed sufficiently for Huddersfield’s development squad to earn a place on the bench for the first team at the weekend.
The Terriers went down 2-1 to Ipswich, and although Bunn was an unused sub the experience will stand him in good stead as he continues to try and force his way into the team.
In the Premier League, Gareth Barry played another 90 minutes for Everton in their thrilling draw with Arsenal at the Emirates.
Barry has been hailed as one of the most influential members of a side that continues to impress under Roberto Martinez.
The Toffees’ boss said: “Maybe Gareth would be more appreciated if he was a foreign player. The role he plays just isn’t glamorous for some English people to appreciate because they like their midfield players to operate from box-to-box all of the time.
“But Gareth is an example that England can produce footballers with excellent technical quality who also have good tactical awareness.
“It is a key role. Gareth is an unsung hero, but teams need someone that has the understanding and the know-how and can give you the balance in the side.”
...Martinez on Barry...
After a lengthy period of time out with a hamstring injury, Scott Sinclair is now fit and ready for selection at West Brom. He missed the 2-0 defeat to Norwich, but will be hoping to play a part for the Baggies as the fixture list hots up over the next few weeks.
Manager Steve Clarke told the Birmingham Mail: “I just see Scott the same as I see the rest of the players. They are all determined in training to impress me and to force their way into the team.”
He added: “We’ve made sure that when he comes back he is 100 per cent correct.
“It is a key period for everybody. We are going into a period having lost a couple of games and that can always happen.”
There was no game for Crewe Alexandra, so George Evans had a week off after catching the eye in the opening weeks of his temporary switch to the League One outfit.
Reece Wabara and George Swan remain on the sidelines with injuries for Doncaster and Sheffield Wednesday respectively.
Neither Dominic Oduro nor Mohammed Abu were involved for AGF Aarhus in their 3-0 defeat to Midtjylland.
