A string of errors by Trotters goalkeeper Adam Bogdan made the Belgian defender’s job difficult throughout and with his side four down after just 27 minutes, Boyata’s second-half header was barely consolation.
Tottenham’s Emmanuel Adebayor got one over on his former employers Arsenal - he was on hand to set up Rafael van der Vaart’s opener in the 2-1 North London derby win, the 10,000th goal in the club’s history.
North of the border, David Gonzalez kept his fourth clean sheet for Aberdeen as they outclassed relegation rivals Dunfermline with a 4-0 win, but fellow keeper Loris Karius continues to wait for his Bundesliga debut after missing Mainz’s 3-3 draw with Nurnberg.
Despite his long-awaited return to first-team action last week, Michael Johnson was again absent for Leicester’s 4-0 win over third-placed Derby, while Ryan McGivern was replaced at half-time with Bristol City 1-0 down at Blackpool.
The Robins went on to lose 5-0 in what proved to be Keith Millen’s last game as Robins’ manager. Alex Nimely also came on as a sub, playing 10 minutes for unbeaten Middlesbrough during their 0-0 draw at Reading.
Reece Wabara made his debut for Ipswich Town in the Tractor Boys’ 3-1 win over Brighton. The young City defender replaced Michael Chopra after 87 minutes after joining the club last week.
Just days after drubbing Nottingham Forest 5-1, Kieran Trippier’s Burnley completed rare back-to-back wins by getting the better of Milwall by a single goal
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While Ben Mee is on the Clarets bench, Trippier completed yet another 90 minutes – something Rochdale’s Ahmed Benali is yet to experience after missing his side’s vital 2-0 win over Wycombe.
Mohammed Abu and Omar Elabdellaoui were both in action for Stromgodset but failed to prevent their side losing 1-0 at the hands of Odd Grenland. Meanwhile, John Guidetti played the entire game for Feyenoord, surprised 3-0 by Den Haag.
In a weekend of unexpected losses Roque Santa Cruz’s Real Betis suffered only their second defeat, against fellow over-achievers Levante - but it’s fair to say Espanyol’s 4-0 loss to Real Madrid was more routine, Vladimir Weiss unable to prevent the inevitable in a half-hour cameo.
