•Simon also on target
• Success, helping Akpom grab
In the final weekend of action before the players travel to Qatar for the World Cup, Nigeria’s stars painted Europe’s top leagues with goals but certainly lamented their absence from the World Cup, writes Anthony Nlebem.
England
EPL
Frank Onyeka (Brentford)
In what looked to be the biggest shock of the day, Onyeka’s Brentford stunned Premier League contenders Manchester City 2-1 in front of 52,786 at the Etihad Stadium.
Onyeka was impressive and lasted 87 minutes before coming off for Josh Dasilva. Ivan Toney’s brace was all the Bees needed to wreck Pep Guardiola’s City side.
Dennis, Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest)
Duo Taiwo Awoniyi and Emmanuel Dennis were notably missing from the action as Nottingham Forest fought hard to secure a decisive 1-0 win over Crystal Palace at the City Ground on Saturday.
Dennis was not included in the matchday squad, while compatriot Awoniyi was an unused substitute.
Iheanacho, Ndidi (Leicester City)
Kelechi Iheanacho was an unused substitute, and Wilfred Ndidi came on for Youri Tielemansen in the 55th minute as Leicester City beat West Ham United 2-0.
Tielemans missed a first-half penalty, but goals from James Maddison and Harvey Barnes pushed the Foxes to within three points of the game.
Alex Iwobi (Everton)
The Nigerian midfield maestro was in action for 90 minutes but was unable to save Everton from a 3-0 defeat against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
The defeat left Everton in 17th place in the Premier League table, one place above the relegation zone.
Dominic Solanke (Bournemouth)
The Nigerian-born England international was a nightmare for Everton as Bournemouth beat the Toffees 3-0 at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday.
In addition to not scoring, it was a complete performance from the striker, who caused Everton all kinds of problems in front of the home team.
Joe Arebo (Southampton)
Nigeria international Aribo came on as an 82nd-minute substitute for Romeo Lavia as Southampton were beaten 3-1 by Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday.
the tournament
Chuba Akpom (Middlesbrough)
The Nigerian striker played throughout the game and was impressive as Middlesbrough came from a goal down to beat Norwich City 2-1. Akpom assisted the second goal to seal victory for the visitors on the stroke of half-time at Carrow Road.
France
Terem Moffi (Lorient)
Sensational striker Moffi continued his impressive scoring run as he scored Lorient’s opener in the fifth minute of their 1-1 draw against Strasbourg on Sunday.
Moffi played for 90 minutes, but his goal was not enough as Lorient were forced to draw 1-1 by the hosts, who equalized in the 86th minute through substitute Habib Diallo.
The 23-year-old has been the standout star for Lorient this season, with 10 goals in 14 games.
Moses Simon (Nantes)
Winger Simon played from start to finish and was very impressive for Nantes in their 2-2 draw against visitors Ajaccio in their French Lique 1 match at the Stade de la Beaujoire on Sunday.
The Yellow Canaries looked down and out, but Simon turned the magic to help seal a hard-fought draw, with a draw.
Italy
a league
Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)
Forward Ademola Lookman scored for Atalanta, but his shot was not enough as they fell 3-2 to Inter Milan at the Gewiss Stadium.
Atalanta were looking to end their two-game winless streak when they hosted Inter and La Dea boss Gian Gasperini handed Lookman the starting shirt. His decision paid dividends early on as the Nigerian scored from the penalty spot in the 24th minute.
However, Edin Dzeko equalized for the visitors in the 36th minute, before adding a second in the 56th minute.
The 25-year-old has been in top form and has scored 10 league goals in 15 games for Atalanta.
The former Leicester City player has seven goals and three in Serie A this season.
The loss means Atalanta have lost three Serie A games in a row. Now they sit sixth on the table.
Victor Osimhen (Napoli)
In-form Napoli striker Osimhen scored his ninth league goal of the season as the Partenopei struggled to earn a deserved 3-2 victory over Isaac Success’ Udinese at the Estadio Diego Armando Maradona on Saturday.
The 23-year-old headed in Napoli’s first goal in the 15th minute before Luciano Spalletti’s men made it 3-0, but Udinese pulled two back.
Meanwhile, Osimhen’s header ensured Harry Kane (9) is the only striker in Europe with more header goals. The Super Eagles forward has scored eight headers this season.
The win moves Napoli eight points clear at the top of Italy’s Serie A standings with 41 points from 15 games.
Success, Ehizibue (Udinese)
Kingsley Ehizibue played 90 minutes as league leaders Udinese lost to Napoli at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium on Saturday.
The Nigerian produced a sensational performance as the visitors tried to steal a point away from home. The 27-year-old will be hoping to build on the display when action resumes after the world cup break.
Meanwhile, Nigeria international Isaac Success came on for Gerard Deulofeu and assisted in Udinese’s first goal when he chested Ilija Nestorovski in the 79th minute. The 26-year-old is yet to find the back of the net in 15 appearances for his club.
Still looking for an equalizer, Udinese scored a second goal in the 82nd minute and continued to press for an equaliser, but could not complete the equalizer as the game ended 3-2 in favor of the home team. Le Zebrette is eighth with 24 points from 15 games.
Spain
Samuel Chukwueze (King’s Cup)
Chukwueze powered Villarreal to a convincing 9-0 win over league bottom side Santa Amalia in a Copa del Rey match on Saturday.
Chukwueze found the back of the net twice and provided two assists as the Yellow Submarines advanced to the next stage of the competition.
The hat-trick was Chukwueze’s first double of the season and since the 5-1 win over Levante in March last year.
Germany
Chidera Ejuke (Hertha Berlin)
Ejuk continued his goal drought with Hertha Berlin in the Bundesliga this season as the home side lost 2-0 to Cologne in front of over 60,000 fans at the Olympiastadion.
The 24-year-old came on for Wilfried Kanga in the 69th minute but was unable to save the day as Die Alte Dame were condemned to a heartbreaking home defeat.
Portugal
Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista)
Defender Onyemaechi featured in the 90th minute but failed to find a cage for Porto’s attacking force as they humiliated Boavista 4-1 at home at the Estadio do Bessa XXI in Portugal’s top flight.
Onyemaechi earned his first Super Eagles call-up for the November 17 friendly against Portugal.
Eredivisie
Calvin Bassey (Ajax)
Bassey was given a starting role for Ajax in Saturday’s 3-3 draw against FC Emmen, but was substituted at half-time after suffering an injury.
The defender was injured in the 41st minute of the match after landing awkwardly, but managed to hold on until the end of the first 45 minutes.
Belgium
Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge)
Super Eagles midfielder Onyedika starred for Club Brugge in the Belgian top flight as his side were held to a 2-2 draw at home by a strong Royal Antwerp.
The 21-year-old defensive midfielder made his 11th league appearance since joining from Midtjylland in the summer.
The result moves Brugge to fourth in the table with 33 points from 17 games and 10 points behind leaders Genk.
Turkey
Michael Ologo (Istanbulspor)
Ologo, who plays as a centre-back for İstanbulspor in the Turkish professional league, featured in the Turkish club’s 1-0 home loss on Sunday.
The 19-year-old picked up a yellow card in the 76th minute of his side’s home defeat to visiting Hatayspor at the Necmi Kadioglu Stadyumu on Sunday.
Ologo has made three appearances for Halkın Takımı this season.
