Matchday Report: Iwobi, Ndidi begin 2023 on a terrible note; Chukwueze scores
Imhonlamhen EronmhonseleShare
- EaglesTracker highlights the performances of several Nigerian international stars as they represented their various clubs on Tuesday, January 3, 2023.
English Premier League
At Goodison Park, Everton put up a disappointing show in front of their home fans as they fell to a 1-4 defeat to Brighton Hove & Albion in their first match of the new year.
Super Eagles playmaker Alex Iwobi featured for the Toffees from start to finish, receiving a yellow card for his troubles midway into the second period.
Goals from Mitoma, Ferguson, March, and Groß helped the visitors dominate the encounter before Demarai Gray netted a last-minute penalty that did little to console the Toffees' fans.
Iwobi won the penalty for Everton to keep up his fine individual goal-contribution ratio. The Nigerian playmaker has the highest number of assists in the Everton squad.
At the King Power Stadium, Leicester City suffered their third consecutive defeat on the bounce, succumbing to a 1-0 loss to visiting Fulham.
Nigerian midfielder Wilfred Ndidi played the opening hour while international teammate Kelechi Iheanacho was on for the final 20 minutes.
But their contributions did not stop Aleksandar Mitrovic's 17th-minute strike from claiming all three points for the Cottagers.
In Spain, it was a beautiful evening for Samuel Chukwueze as he scored his team's fourth goal in Villarreal's 5-1 humbling of FC Cartagena in the Copa del Rey.
Chukwueze now has three goals and two assists in three games in the cup competition.
In the Turkish Super Lig, Nigerian full-back Bright Osayi-Samuel delivered an impressive showing as Fenerbahce came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory away to Antalyaspor.
Former Chelsea man Michy Batshuayi'a second-half brace was all Fener needed to offset Wright's first-half effort for the home side and boost the visitors' title charge.
