After playing a full game in their midweek loss to Chornomorets, Rekik was chosen as skipper for his side’s next game and he led his team to a thumping win that lifts them to ninth in the Eredivisie.
George Evans also lasted for 90 minutes in Crewe’s 2-2 draw with Coventry. Since agreeing his loan move in October, the Cheadle-born midfielder has impressed manager Steve Davis and has become a regular face in the Alex squad.
Tough game today gutted not to take all 3 points though! Great team effort and Congrats to @hitchuuu on his first goal aswell! #Crewealex
— George Evans (@GeorgeEvans70) December 14, 2013Elsewhere, Gareth Barry was on the scoresheet for Everton in their 4-1 defeat of Fulham. The Englishman continues to make a good impact at Goodison Park and he’s quickly becoming a fans’ favourite at the club.
Young striker Harry Bunn also found the net in Huddersfield’s under-21 fixture against Sheffield United. Bunn, who was previously on loan at the Blades, equalised for the Terriers with a left-footed finish in the second half. The home side then found the winner on 77 minutes.
Mohammed Abu and Dominic Oduro, who are both loaned to AGF Aarhus, saw their last match before the winter break postponed. The Danish side will resume their programme in February.
A little closer to home, Scott Sinclair came on in 74th minute for West Brom in their narrow defeat to Cardiff.
The winger had been out of action since obtaining a hamstring injury in the win at Manchester United but speaking before the game against the Welsh outfit, he declared himself fit and raring to go.
“I’ve been out for two months,” he said. “I had a very bad pull which I did at Manchester United but I’ve been getting back to 100 per cent. Hopefully, I can be right for the weekend.
“It was frustrating. I got my match fitness up playing a few games and I thought ‘I’m back to my normal self’.
“After playing 120 minutes in the Arsenal game and then before the Sunderland game, I then went into the United game and pulled up after 10 minutes.
It was one of those frustrating things but you know you have to come back stronger.
“I have a lot of catching up to do. I need to hit the ground running. Hopefully, now I can crack on and build on from there.”
Ellis Plummer played the full 90 minutes in the heart of defence for Oldham Athletic, but the Latics fell to a 1-0 defeat to Brentford. It didn’t take long for Plummer to force his way into the starting XI at Boundary Park and he will be hoping to keep his place for tonight’s FA Cup second round replay against Mansfield. A third-round tie at Anfield awaits the winners.
Meanwhile, over in Yorkshire, George Swan did not feature in Sheffield Wednesday’s under-21 defeat to Nottingham Forest, whilst Reece Wabara - currently on the sidelines for Paul Dickov’s Doncaster - is hoping to be back playing in the New Year.
Back running next week can't wait! Hopefully only a couple weeks until I'm fit ⚽⚽⚽⚽
— Reece Wabara (@ReeceWabara) December 13, 2013
