Jason Denayer completed the full 90 minutes of Sunderland’s 3-1 Premier League defeat to Stoke, lining up as one of two holding midfielders.
Wilfried Bony did not feature for the Potters, as he is on international duty with the Ivory Coast at the African Cup of Nations.
Also in England, Aaron Mooy played the whole game for Huddersfield but couldn’t prevent the Terriers from falling to a 2-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday.
Further north, Patrick Roberts’ Celtic were not in action, due to Scotland’s winter break, but it is being reported the Hoops are keen to extend the winger’s stay.
BRIGHT SPOT: Jason Denayer impressed - despite another defeat for Sunderland
Brendan Rodgers said: “I want to work with talented players but it’s about what City see as the next stage of Patrick’s development.
“I have only been in for the last six months of his time here but I think it has been a fruitful period.
“He seems to be really enjoying his time here and has grown really close with the squad. There will be dialogue between now and the summer in terms of where he is at.
“Patrick is very important for us, whether he starts or comes off the bench. His talent is there for all to see.”
CELTIC CHARMER: Patrick Roberts has made a big impact with the Scottish giants
In Holland, Enes Unal, Yaw Yeboah and Bersant Celina made up Twente’s front three, but fell to a 3-1 defeat at Vitesse.
Meanwhile, Manu Garcia, Ashley Smith-Brown and Thomas Agyepong all started as NAC Breda recorded an impressive 2-0 win away at Utrecht, a result that leaves them fifth in the Eerste Division table.
Brandon Barker missed out having been ruled out with a hamstring injury for three to four weeks.
In Spain, Samir Nasri helped Sevilla to end Real Madrid’s record-breaking 40-game winning run, with a late comeback victory.
SPAIN GAME: Samir Nasri helped Sevilla inflict a rare defeat on Real Madrid
An 85th-minute Sergio Ramos goal was followed up with an injury time strike by former Blue Stevan Jovetic.
Marlos Moreno lasted 76 minutes of Deportivo’s 0-0 draw with Villarreal.
In Italy, Joe Hart played on despite suffering a facial injury. The goalkeeper came face-to-Gianluca Lapadula’s studs in Torino’s 2-1 defeat at AC Milan.
