Dempsey scores; Bocanegra's Rennes on roll

• by Soccer America , Dec 22, 2008

[AMERICANS ABROAD WRAP] Fulham's Clint Dempsey scored his second EPL goal of the season in a 3-0 win over Middlesbrough. In France, defender Carlos Bocanegra helped Rennes win its derby game against Lorient, 2-1, and extend its unbeaten streak to 17 games.

Rennes moved into third place, four points behind leader Lyon and one point behind second-place Bordeaux. With 13 goals conceded in 19 games, Rennes boasts Ligue 1's stingiest defense.

Also in France, Freddy Adu played the last 15 minutes for Monaco in a 4-3 loss to Bordeaux, whose two comeback goals came after his entry. Adu was responsible for giving up the corner kick on which Bordeaux equalized the game at 3-3.

Keeper Brad Friedel helped Aston Villa down West Ham, 1-0, and move into third place of the English Premier League.

Fulham's win moved it up to 8th place. Dempsey, making his seventh start  -- he's come off the bench in seven other games -- scored the Cottagers' third goal in the 3-0 win with a cool finish in the 59th minute.

In Belgium, Oguchi Onyewu went the distance for Standard Liege in a 2-1 win over KAA Gent that keeps Standrad in second place.

Neither DaMarcus Beasley nor Maurice Edu made Rangers' squad for its 1-0 win over Hibernian.