Boateng snatches winner in Spanish thriller

Ghana midfielder Derek Boateng scored the winner as Spanish club Getafe came from two goals behind to defeat Almeria 3-2 in a La Liga thriller at the weekend.

Almeria striker Kalu Uche from Nigeria was the only other African on target in the major European leagues with snow virtually wiping out the English Premiership schedule.

FRANCE

CHEIKH DIABATE (Bordeaux)

The Malian striker made an impressive return to action, after almost a year out through injury, against Sochaux. The 22-year-old almost grabbed a winner for the 2009 French champions but his fierce shot was saved by Pierrick Cros. However, his performance drew praise from tough taskmaster Jean Tigana. “I was pleasantly surprised by Diabate, who was able to last the whole match after not playing for a year,” said the former Monaco and Fulham handler.

JEAN II MAKOUN (Lyon)

Experienced Cameroon midfielder played an impressive role in a 1-1 draw with champions Marseille. Not always the most popular player with the Lyon fans since his move from Lille, he was excellent in breaking up Marseille attacks and the catalyst for Lisandro’s goal in the first half, stealing the ball off Benoit Cheyrou.

GERMANY

SAMI ALLAGUI (Mainz)

The Tunisia striker came off the bench to set up Mainz’s fourth goal in 4-2 win over St Pauli. The result leaves Mainz second and 10 points behind Bundesliga leaders Dortmund, who lost 1-0 to Eintracht Frankfurt.

DEMBA BA (Hoffenheim)

The Senegal striker was introduced as a second-half substitute, but was powerless to prevent Hoffenheim throwing away a 2-0 lead to slip to a 2-2 draw against Wolfsburg, coached by ex-England boss Steve McClaren.

ITALY

KEVIN-PRINCE BOATENG (Inter Milan)

The Ghana midfielder continued in his trequartista role between AC Milan’s midfield and attack as the Serie A leaders fell to a 1-0 home defeat by Roma. Following two straight 3-0 wins in the league, in which Boateng score in both, Milan were far from their best. Boateng had an early chance when he made a typically intelligent break into the box but Andrea Pirlo’s pass was just too long for him. He also got behind the defence on the right hand side but no one was on hand to turn home his dangerous cross. Boateng continued to toil throughout the game but his team simply weren’t up to their previous high levels and he could do nothing to prevent the defeat.

KWADWO ASAMOAH (Udinese)

The Ghana midfielder started well and had an early sight of goal but got his trajectory wrong and screwed his effort wide. In an entertaining game his team was beaten 3-2 by high-flying Lazio. Asamoah has been one of the stars of Udinese’s season and he was heavily invovled early on and got on the end of a dangerous cross early in the second half, only to be crowded out at the near post. However, he was substituted for Argentine forward German Denis.

SPAIN

DEREK BOATENG (Getafe)

Ghana international midfielder Boateng scored the winning goal as Getafe came from two goals down to defeat Almeria 3-2 and climb to seventh on the table. The 27-year-old Boateng scored a 70th-minute winner with his second league goal of the season as Getafe notched a fourth consecutive league win.

KALU UCHE (Almeria)

Nigeria striker Uche scored his fourth league goal of the season, although it proved in vain as Almeria lost at home against Getafe. Uche, 28, converted an Albert Crusat cross after just seven minutes, but Almeria threw away a two-goal lead and stay fourth from bottom of the table.

SEYDOU KEITA (Barcelona)

Mali midfielder Keita was a late substitute in Barcelona’s 5-1 rout of city rivals Espanyol. He came on for Andres Iniesta in the closing stages as Barcelona maintained their perfect away record with an eighth win and the champions sit two points clear of rivals Real Madrid at Christmas.