For all the American talk of targeting Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter, it is Justin Rose who has emerged as Europe's silent assassin in the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.

As the USA mounted a second day fight back, it was Rose who continued to be the thorn in their side as his profitable partnership with Sweden's Henrik Stenson continued to reap rewards.

The European duo were a combined 12-under-par in the better-ball format - a Ryder Cup record - as they battled to a 3&2 victory over Bubba Watson and Matt Kuchar in an encounter of astonishing quality.

Birdie after birdie dropped during a quite captivating tussle and Rose and Stenson, who was set to sit out the afternoon session to rest a niggling back problem, had to be at the top of their games to stave of the American duo's spirited resistance.

Watson and Kuchar were nine-under par for their round and the combined 21-under tally of both pairings was also another Ryder Cup record.

By the end of the morning, Europe, 5-3 ahead overnight, were 6 ½ - 5 ½ in front.

"It was amazing," said Rose. "I just had the feeling of the anticipation of what it's going to feel like to make putts today. When you just see the ball going into the hole and you just get those positive vibes, today was a day where it all happened."

This was Rose and Stenson's third win of the week but despite sticking an early splash of blue on the scoreboard the USA were making menacing advances down the order.

Jim Furyk and Hunter Mahan swept to a 4&3 win over Lee Westwood and Jamie Donaldson while Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth romped to a 5&3 victory over Thomas Bjorn and Martin Kaymer.

The anchor match between Ian Poulter and Rory McIlroy and Jimmy Walker and Rickie Fowler proved to be engrossing.

Poulter finally found some of the form that has made him such a talismanic figure in the Ryder Cup and a fist-pumping chip in on 15 and a birdie on 16 helped to get the European team back on terms.

McIlroy conjured a sublime shot out of the rough on the 18th which secured a conceded birdie and, when Fowler's eagle attempt was short and left, the match, perhaps fittingly,  finished all-square. It had been a titanic struggle.