PARIS - Even usually deadly finisher Samuel Eto'o of Cameroon could not find the net on a rare unrewarding weekend for African strikers across Europe.

There were no African goals in the English Premiership, Bundesliga, Serie A or La Liga, while Senegalese Malick Faye and Malian Mamoudou Daffe hit the target for fifth-tier clubs in the French Cup.

The African presence in the Premiership could be bolstered this month as Senegalese Demba Ba of Hoffenheim has been linked with a loan move to relegation-threatened West Ham.

The Ivorian brothers Kolo and Yaya Toure had a frustrating time as Manchester City suffered a dent to their Premiership title ambitions with a 1-0 defeat at struggling Aston Villa.

With Darren Bent sold and Danny Welbeck injured, it was left to Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan to provide the cutting edge for Sunderland against Blackpool.

Kieran Richardson got the goals, however, in a 2-1 win.

South Africa midfielder Steven Pienaar had a low-key debut for Tottenham Hotspur after joining from Everton last week.

Pienaar was substituted after 83 minutes against Newcastle United and was not on the field when Spurs grabbed their late equaliser.

In France, Senegalese striker Faye helped fifth-tier Chambery continue their unlikely tilt at French Cup glory after his goal took the last-32 match against top-flight Brest to extra-time and the amateurs won the shootout.

Eto'o, who went into the weekend with 12 league goals to his name, cut a frustrated figure as Inter slumped to a shock 3-1 defeat by Udinese in Italy's Serie A.

Ghana international Kwadwo Asamoah played a pivotal role in Udinese's third goal, which killed off Inter. He collected a poor clearance and crossed for Maurizio Domizzi to volley home in the 63rd minute.

Meanwhile in Spain, Nigerian midfielder Kalu Uche helped struggling Almeria defeat Osasuna 3-2 to move off the bottom of the La Liga table.