NAIJA PLAYERS XPLOITS ABROAD..........COMPILED BY ABAYOMI ADEMETAN

Sunderland ended a wretched English Premier League run against Everton with an impressive 1-0 victory at the Stadium of Light. Former Dream team striker Victor Anichebe started as Everton's lone man upfront before he made way for Steve Naismith in the 77th minute of play.

Ranti Martins added to his goal tally with a 20th minute strike for Prayag United, in a I-League match encounter against Shilong Lajong. The game which ended 2-0 saw Bello Razaq lasting the length in the colours of the winning lads.

The Seattle Sounders, bottom of the Western Conference, secured a much-needed win - 1-0 away to the Colorado Rapids - with former Inter Milan and Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins scoring the only goal of the game.

Stoke City all but consigned QPR to Premier League relegation after battling to a hard-earned 2-0 win at Loftus Road on Saturday. Goals from Peter Crouch and Jonathan Walters proved the difference in an uninspiring encounter between the relegation-threatened side. Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha sat on the bench for the entire length.

Salgaocar FC overcame Pailan Arrows FC 2-1 in a round 25 I-League clash played at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, on Saturday, which saw the visitors pip their Goan rivals Sporting Clube de Goa to the sixth spot in the standings. Salgaocar, fresh from their 9-0 mauling of United Sikkim, looked confident of recording another thumping win, this time over the AIFF developmental squad. They started with two foreigners leading the line, with Josimar D' Silva partnering Gabriel Obatola to make a fiery attacking duo.

John Sutton scored the decisive goal in the fourth minute as Hearts recorded a 1-0 win at Kilmarnock. Ineffective Rabiu Ibrahim was substituted by the hosts in the 46th minute of action.

In the Belgium relegation playoffs, Cercle Brugge won their third game in a row, knocking off Beerschot 2-1 to move above their rivals on the two-team table. Michael Uchebo played an active role in the crucial win.

A second-half double from Hamdi Harbaoui wrapped up Lokeren's 4-1 victory over Standard Liege in the Belgian First Division playoffs. Imoh Ezekiel fired blanks for Liege and was on for 90 minutes.

With Charleroi and Waasland-Beveren having played out a 0-0 draw, Leuven moved above the latter into second position in Group B with a 5-1 thumping of Mechelen. Derick Ogbu didn't register his name on the scoresheet, but he was excellent upfront.

 
Gary Hooper scored a brace as Celtic claimed the Scottish Premier League title with a 4-1 win over Inverness CT on Sunday. The victory saw the Glasgow giants confirmed as champions with four games left in the season and a Scottish Cup final against Hibernian to come. Super Eagles defender Efe Ambrose was part of the winning train.

Luis Suarez was both the hero and villain as his last-gasp header salvaged Liverpool a 2-2 draw with Chelsea at Anfield on Sunday. Energetic midfielder John Obi Mikel was outstanding in the colours of the Blues, while AFCON 2013 hero Victor Moses was a second half substitute.

FC Twente came from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw with lowly VVV Venlo. Goals from Nils Roseler and Uche Nwofor put VVV in a commanding position, before Rasmus Bengtsson and Luc Castaignos struck in the space of two second-half minutes to clinch a share of the spoils.

A brilliant volley from Antonio Di Natalie has inspired Udinese to their third straight win as they defeated Lazio 1-0 in the Serie A. Former Primavera starlet Onazi Ogenyi gave a good account of himself representing the capital club.

West Brom fought back from a goal down to take a share of the spoils in an entertaining 1-1 draw with Newcastle United on Saturday. Peter Osaze Odemwingie was not listed by the Albions thus fuelling speculation as regards his playing future. Lanky Shola Ameobi was a second half substitute.

Hosts Wuhan Zall continued their poor form with a two-nil loss to Guangzhou R&F. Former Kwara United and Brann winger Chukwuma Akabueze lasted the duration in the colours of Zall, while Yakubu Aiyegbeni's effort was rewarded with three points, and thus catapulted his side to 5 points from 6 matches.

An 8th minute strike by Li Xuepeng was all Dalian Aerbin needed to beat Jiangsu Sainty on Friday. Super Eagles forward Peter Utaka was at his best leading the line for the away side.

A second half brace by Serhiy Rudyka was the motivation Metalurh Zaporizhya needed to upset visiting Kryvbas two-nil at the Slavutych-Arena. Wing-wizard Michael Babatunde was benched for the entire length.

At the Estadio Municipal 25 de Abril, Portimonense forced Penafiel to a one-all draw. Lanky forward Simmy Nwankwo was actively involved in his team's equaliser in the 78th minute.

Braga defeated Academica 1-0 on Friday to move third in the Liga Sagres, as the tight race for Champions League qualification continues. Former Bendel Insurance and Stade Rennes defender Elderson Uwa Echiejile displayed the African spirit in him with some great runs.

Two goals from Rafael van der Vaart in the space of six minutes guided Hamburg to a 2-1 win over Fortuna Dusseldorf. Leon Balogun was fantastic at the right-back for Fortuna.

 Lyon had Clement Grenier to thank for snatching a dramatic late victory away to Montpellier in Ligue 1 on Friday. Visitors Lyon led in the match at the Stade de la Mosson through Lisandro Lopez's 29th-minute goal, with Grenier providing the assist. Montpellier were level in the 41st minute when Remy Cabella teeing up Younes Belhanda to equalise. Evergreen forward John Utaka was not listed for action.

Kasimpasa took a significant step towards qualifying for the UEFA Europa League with a commanding 2-0 win at Orduspor. Former Wislaw Krakow star Kalu Uche netted a brace in the match. He dented the hopes of the home side, parading Yussuf Ayila and fighting relegation.

Mersin İdmanyurdu continued their poor form with a 0-1 loss at Karabukspor. Skillful midfielders Raheem Adewole Lawal and Ndukwo Ozokwo played active roles in the colours of the losers.

In Greece, Olympiakos Volos kept their promotion hopes alive with a hard earned 1-1 draw at Niki Volos. Former France-based midfielder Egutu Oliseh was a beast in midfield, while ex-Westerloo star Patrick Babatunde Ogunsoto also helped the away side achieve a positive show.

Sandhausen made matters worse for themselves with a one-nil loss at Hertha Berlin. Former Super Eagles defender Seyi Olajengbesi was at the heart of the away side's defence for the entire duration.

Bordonado's 46th minute effort proved to be enough for Villarreal as they clinched the maximum points against Racing Santander. Petit forward Ikechukwu Uche was on the winning side.

Adigun Adebayo, Olalekan Bola, Michael Ikpe and Peter Olayinka all failed to inspire Bylis Ballsh to a win at Shkumbini Peqin. The Albania league match ended 2-1 in favour of the hosts.

Ninh Binh and Binh Duong battled to a 2-2 draw on Saturday. Former Lobi Stars striker Timothy Anjembe netted Ninh's second goal.

In Albania, Charles Ofoyen and Kehinde Owoeye were at thick of the action when Tomori Berat dismissed Laçi two-nil.

 Hoang Anh Gia Lai needed two goals from Ganiyu Oseni to defeat Kien Giang 2-1 at the Sân vận động Plei Cu (Pleiku Stadium). Former Bayelsa United goalie Bassey Akpan was in goal for Hoang. Ex-Kwara United centre-back Ahmed Sope was outstanding at the back-line of Kien. He hardly committed an error.

Varese moved to 6th on the Serie B log with a slim one-nil victory at Ternana. Nigerian strikers Nnamdi Oduamadi and Osameriem Ebague led the line for the away team.

Brown Ideye was the star of the day as he grabbed a brace and provided an assist for his team-mate in Dynamo Kiev's 5-0 massacre of Zorya. Former Monaco attacking midfielder played behind his compatriot, while ex-AC Milan defender Taye Taiwo also lasted the duration from left-back.

At the Akdeniz Üniversitesi Stadyumu (Antalya), ex-youth skipper Isaac Promise was in action for the length when Bursaspor came to shock Antalyaspor one-nil on Sunday. The attacker was whiskers away from snatching a draw for the home side but was kept at bay by the goalkeeper.

Former Esperance Sportive star Michael Eneramo was issued an 88th minute yellow card in Sivasppor's 1-1 draw Turkish Super League match against Kayserispor.

The Moscow derby was full of fireworks and action. A 73rd minute strike from Ahmed Musa was what raised homers CSKA Moscow from the dead world. Vagner Love completed a great comeback as Spartak Moacow paid for their complacency in front of goal. The thrilling battle ended two-all. Super Eagles bull Emmanuel Emenike was not listed for action by the visitors.