SPAIN

Mubarak Wakaso lasted 77 minutes for Espanyol who defeated now rock bottom, Deportivo La Coruna 2-0 to move out of the bottom two for the first time this season and make sure they at least end 2012 on a high as La Liga takes a break till 5th January.

Just below Espanyol and immediately above Deportivo on the Spanish top flight league table are Anthony Annan’s Osasuna who lost 1-2 at home to Granada. The Ghanaian was for the 4rd week in a row, not even on the bench meaning the Black Stars midfield workaholic has featured in only 6 of their 17 league matches since joining on loan from Schalke 04 at the beginning of the season, totaling 385 minutes.

Michael Essien returned to 90 minutes action for Real Madrid but could not help Jose Mourinho’s side avoid a 2-3 defeat at Malaga that sees them fall 16 points behind arch rivals and leaders Barcelona on the standings.

Elsewhere, Mohammed Abu was on the bench for Rayo Vallecano who won 3-0 over Levante.

ITALY

Kwadwo Asamoah was very pivotal for Juventus all match long as they rallied from a goal down and missing a penalty to eventually beat Cagliari 3-1 to open up an 8-point lead going into the Serie A Christmas break until the league resumes first weekend of January.

Sulley Muntari came on for the last 15 minutes with Milan down 4-0 but compatriot Kevin-Prince Boateng played the entire game as they lost 2-4 eventually to AS Roma at the Stadio Olimpico.

Afriyie Acquah came on as a 70th minute substitute for Parma in their 2-1 win at Bologna and Emmanuel Agyemang Badu erased injury scares freeing Black Stars coach, Kwesi Appiah from CAN 2013 anxiety as he played all 90 minutes for Udinese in their 1-1 draw at Atalanta.

Elsewhere, Moro Alhassan was an unused substitute for Genoa but Joseph Duncan was completely absent from Inter Milan’s match day squad in their 1-1 draw at the San Siro whilst 18 year old Isaac Coffie once again saw full time action for Chievo Verona who this time lost 0-2 at Torino.

In Serie B, Richmond Boakye Yiadom lasted 69 minutes before he was replaced, but compatriot Yusif Rahman Chibsah played all 90 minutes for Sassoulo in their 2-0 win over Virtus Lanciano to open up a 5-point lead atop the league log.

Ahmed Apimah Barruso and compatriot Masahudu Alhassan all played 90 minutes in midfield for Novara who moved out of the relegation zone with a 2-0 win over Pro Vercelli.

Boadu Acosty and compatriot Daniel Agyei also both played the entire match for Juve Stabia in their 0-1 loss at Hellas Verona.

ENGLAND

Albert Adomah was once again on 90 minutes action for Bristol City in their 1-1 draw at Ipswich Town in the Championship.

Newly confirmed probable Ghana international, Emmanuel Frimpong played 77 minutes before he was replaced in Charlton’s 0-2 loss at Sheffield but Prince Buabeng was once again absent for Watford in their 1-1 draw at Burnley.

FRANCE

Dede Ayew scored the only goal as he and kid brother, Jordan Ayew both played the entire duration of the match for Olympique Marseille in their victory over Saint Etienne that took them level on 38 points with leaders PSG and 2nd placed Lyon but 3rd on goal difference.

John Boye was for the 3rd straight Ligue 1 game, absent for Rennes who won 4-2 at Ajaccio which keeps them 4th.

Jonathan Mensah who is in Ghana’s provisional CAN 2013 squad returned to the bench for the first time since the first week of November whilst also CAN 2013 bound Rabiu Mohammed played for 66 minutes as Evian TG suffered a 2-1 defeat at Valenciennes.

Former junior international, Ishmael Yartey was completely unavailable for Sochaux in their 0-2 loss at Toulouse.

BELGIUM

Albert Kudemor was once again in full time action for Sporting Chaleroi in their 2-1 win at Gent whilst Abdul-Yajinu Iddi was on target for Mechelen in their 2-0 win at Beerschot.

Rahim Ayew played all 90 minutes but Cofie Bekoe (rumoured to be leaving the club) was not even on the bench for Lierse in a 2-2 draw at Oh Leuven.

Elsewhere, Bernard Yao Kumordzi came on as an 88th minute substitute for Genk in their 2-4 defeat at home to champions Anderlecht.

HOLLAND

Kwame Quansahlasted all game for Almelo Heracles in their 1-1 draw with PEC Zwolle but injured Nana Kwesi Asare was absent for Utrecht as they held champions Ajax to a goalless stalemate.

32 year old Mattew Amoah still has yet to kick a ball for Heerenveen after joining them at the beginning of the season and was once again absent in their 2-1 win over his former club, Vitesse.

Dutch-born Ghanaian, Johan Kapelhoff played all 90 minutes for Groningen in their 2-1 loss at Feyenoord.

TURKEY

Jerry Akaminko played the entire duration for Eskisehirspor as they lost 2-1 at Antalyaspor in the Super Lig.

In the second tier 1.Lig, injured Karim Alhassan was absent for Adana Demirspor in their goalless draw against Samsunspor whilst Torric Jebrin lasted 58 minutes as 1461 Trabzon also drew 0-0 against Rizespor.

TUNISIA

Harrison Afful played all 90 minutes but Emmanuel Clottey did not feature as Esperance drew goalless with Marsa in Tunisian Ligue 1 Group A.

In Group B, the injured Uriah Asante was absent for Etoile Sahel who made amends for last week’s 4-1 defeat at Monastir with a 0-1win at Stade Gabesien whilst the Youssoufos’ CS Sfaxien beat Stade Tunisien 2-0.