ITALY:
Juan Cuadrado started and not only finished the game, but scored the first goal of Juventus' 2-0 victory over Frosinone. That's 13 straight wins for Juventus! Unreal.
Napoli, too, won 1-0 against Carpi, hence maintaining their 2 point lead over the Bianconeri. The two sides go head-to-head next Sunday, in what should be a mouth-watering clash at the summit of Serie A. Oh, and Nathaniel Chalobah was an unused substitute. As was Stipe Perica, for Udinese.
THE NETHERLANDS:
Todd Kane and his team NEC Nijmegen will be thoroughly disappointed after they fluffed a golden opportunity to move within 1 point of third place. But while Feyenoord continue to fumble, NEC only managed a 1-1 draw against lowly De Graafschap in a local derby. And so it's Heracles who are now in third place, leapfrogging Feyenoord (4th), with NEC three points behind in 5th.
Shame we didn't get all the points but on to the next game! #NEC #chelsea
— Todd Kane (@Toddy_Kane) February 7, 2016
Shame, indeed.
Marco van Ginkel helped PSV quickly banish memories of their loss against FC Utrecht in the KNVB Beker, starting and scoring his side's second (and his debut) goal in a 2-0 win.
OTHERS:
Charly Musonda hit the ground running at his temporary home, Real Betis, by starting as a right winger in their 1-0 victory over Gary Neville's Valencia. Musonda, by all accounts, was very impressive, looking lively and unfazed in his senior professional debut.
He played a part in Betis' solitary goal, cleverly backheeling the ball into the path of forgotten Norwich City striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel, who crossed for Ruben Castro to ultimately finish. Musonda even caused substitute highly touted left-back prospect and supposed Chelsea transfer target Jose Gaya (who came on to replace the injured Guilherme Siquiera) problems and eventually got him sent off after easing past him and getting fouled more than once. Quite a debut for 19-year-old, who had the Betis fans chanting his name in no time!
Here's Charly getting Gaya sent off:
And here's the Betis goal, scored by Ruben Castro:
Impressive stuff.
Jeremie Boga was on the bench for Rennes, who just about managed a 1-1 draw against Lille. He was brought on in the 78th minute.
Marko Marin played the whole of Trabzonspor's 2-1 loss to Akhisar Belediyespor.
Alex Kiwomya started for Fleetwood Town against Strawberry Shrewsbury Town, but was the first one to be taken off, in the 61st minute.
Cristian Cuevas started for STVV but was taken off at half-time in a 2-1 victory over Standard Liege, which was only their second victory in eight games! Victorien Angban sat this one out due to suspension as did Joao Rodriguez, due to injury.