Several Nigerian stars failed to score for their clubs on Sunday, prompting Anthony Nlelem to review their performances across Europe over the weekend.
In England, Leicester City’s forward Kelechi Iheanacho started against Manchester United but was unable to find the net in a 3‑0 loss at Old Trafford. The 26‑year‑old was substituted for Jamie Vardy in the 75th minute after a modest display, following Leicester’s 4‑1 victory over Tottenham the previous day. His teammate Wilfred Ndidi remained on the bench, still recovering from an injury that has kept him out for weeks.
Chuba Akpom continued his fine form for Middlesbrough, netting a brace in a 3‑1 win over Queens Park Rangers at the Riverside Stadium. He opened the scoring in the 64th minute after a Dan Barlaser assist and added a second 13 minutes later, taking his Championship tally to 20 goals. The 27‑year‑old played the full match and received a yellow card in the 65th minute, helping Middlesbrough close to within four points of Sheffield United and secure a fifth consecutive win in their promotion push.
Everton’s Alex Iwobi supplied the decisive pass for Seamus Coleman’s goal in a 1‑0 triumph over Leeds United at Goodison Park. Iwobi enjoyed a strong midfield performance, registering 62 touches, three key passes, three successful dribbles and five tackles. The victory lifted Everton out of the relegation zone after a recent defeat to Liverpool in the Merseyside Derby.
Southampton’s new striker Paul Onuachu started in a surprise 1‑0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, contributing significantly before being replaced by Sekou Mara at halftime. Fellow Nigerian Joe Aribo was absent from Ruben Selles’ squad. The win marked Southampton’s first Premier League double over Chelsea in 35 years, the previous one occurring in 1988 when a 17‑year‑old Alan Shearer made his league debut.
At Nottingham Forest, Emmanuel Dennis remained an unused substitute as the team held Manchester City to a 1‑1 draw, denying the visitors a chance to retake the league lead. Taiwo Awoniyi also missed the match due to injury.
Crystal Palace saw both Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise feature in a 1‑1 draw with Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium. Eze entered for Olise in the 65th minute, scored the opening goal and raised his season tally to four Premier League goals in 23 appearances.
In Italy, Ademola Lookman started for Atalanta but could not prevent a 2‑1 home defeat to Lecce at the Gewiss Stadium. The Nigeria international played the full 90 minutes, while Atalanta’s winning streak continued elsewhere, moving them to fifth place after 22 rounds. Lookman has already contributed 12 goals and six assists this season.
Tyronne Ebuehi completed the full match for Empoli in a 1‑1 draw with Fiorentina at the Artemio Franchi stadium. The 27‑year‑old defender has appeared in 14 Serie A games, scoring once, as Empoli sit 10th with 30 points, just above Juventus.
William Troost‑Ekong was unavailable for Salernitana, who suffered a 2‑0 home loss to Lazio at the Stadio Arechi, as the 29‑year‑old recovers from an injury expected to sideline him for two weeks.
Kingsley Ehizibue played the entire game for Udinese in a 3‑1 defeat to Inter Milan at the Giuseppe Meazza, while fellow Nigerian Isaac Success came off the bench but failed to score, still searching for his first league goal after 22 matches.
Victor Osimhen set a personal milestone in Napoli’s 2‑0 win over Sassuolo at Stadio Mapei, scoring his 100th career goal (85 for club, 15 for Nigeria) in the 33rd minute. The strike was his 18th Serie A goal of the season in 19 games, and he was substituted in the 83rd minute.
In France, Moses Simon started for Nantes in a 3‑1 loss to Lens at the Stade Bollaert‑Delelis, being replaced by Marcus Coco in the 78th minute. The 27‑year‑old winger has featured in 20 Ligue 1 matches, contributing five goals and two assists.
In the Nice versus Reims clash, Folarin Balogun missed a second‑half penalty for Reims in a goalless draw, after winning a foul inside the box. He was later substituted for Kaj Sierhuis. Nice’s new signing Terem Moffi, still seeking his first goal for the club, had a clear chance but chose to shoot instead of passing to Khéphren Thuram.
Calvin Bassey entered for Ajax in a 4‑0 victory over Sparta Rotterdam at the Johan Cruyff Arena, helping the Dutch champions secure their third win under new manager John Heitinga. The 23‑year‑old defender has made 19 league appearances this season, scoring once.
Gift Orban started for KAA Gent in a 2‑0 home win over Oud‑Heverlee Leuven at the Ghelamco Arena. The 20‑year‑old striker, who joined from Stabaek in January, was booked in the 59th minute and substituted in the 67th, after aiming for his third league goal.
Finally, Samuel Chukwueze scored for Villarreal in a 4‑2 home defeat to Mallorca at the Estadi Mallorca Son Moix. The 23‑year‑old winger equalised in the 50th minute, marking his second La Liga goal in 21 appearances this season. He was replaced by Alex Baena in the 67th minute.
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