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Kelechi Iheanacho, who celebrated his 25th birthday on Sunday, marked his first Premier League start of the season with a goal but Leicester surrendered a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 at Crystal Palace on Sunday, Completesports.com reports.
England-born Nigerian midfielder Michael Olise also got on the score sheet, as he opened his goals account for Palace in his third league appearance.
Iheanacho’s goal means he is the third Nigerian in Premier League history to score on his birthday, after Jay-Jay Okocha (Bolton) in 2004 and Obafemi Martins (Newcastle) in 2008.
The draw saw Leicester now in 13th position on eight points while Palace are 14th on seven points.
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Iheanacho gave Leicester the lead on 31 minutes after robbing Joachim Andersen in his own half, ran through on goal and slotted home completely against the run of play.
It is Iheanacho’s second goal in his last three games with his first coming in the 2-0 win at Millwall in the Carabao Cup.
The Super Eagles star was later replaced in the 71st minute by James Maddison.
In the 37th minute Leicester doubled their lead as Harvey Barnes drove at Palace defence and slided in Jamie Vardy to his left, who slotted home.
Olise, who came on for Jordan Ayew in the 53rd minute, then kicked off Palace’s fightback by pulling a goal back on 61 minutes hammering a volley home after a shot is deflected.
Palace then levelled up in the 72nd minute thanks to Jeffrey Schlupp who headed a loose ball as it bounced around Leicester box.
At the London stadium, Frank Onyeka was in action in Brentford’s dramatic 2-1 win against West Ham United.
Onyeka featured from the start before he was replaced with eight minutes remaining in the game.
Brentford broke the deadlock on 21 minutes after Bryan Mbeumo reacted quickest to turn in the rebound after Lukasz Fabianski stopped Sergi Canos’ low strike.
With 10 minutes remaining West Ham equalised as Jarrod Bowen powered the ball into the bottom corner.
But in the 94th minute Brentford scored the winner after the ball fell to Yoane Wissa who hammered it home.
Brentford move to seventh spot on 12 points in the English top-flight division.
And in the other Sunday’s game, Tottenham Hotspur ended their winless run in the league with a 2-1 home victory over Aston Villa.
By James Agberebi
30 Comments
If only Olise can just play for us but Nigeria has great potential going into the next world cup regardless of if he decides not to play for us but surely a talent worth having in the fold. Senior man gave himself a birthday gift on his first dtart too lol.
Our creative outlets in attacking midfield are sparse. We need him and Eze really. If they could just come right now and grow with the team, the SE will be unplayable in a few years.
Awoyini also scored a brace for union Berlin. Truth be told it’s the nations cup or nothing. We cannot waste this generation of players on the alter on mediocrity in coaching.Our late Stephen kechi did not have this type of luck with players yet he dliverwd the nations cup and also took the nation to a second round finish at the world cup. The NFF must sit down and evaluate this Mr Rohr very well and decide on what do quickly. For me ,I don’t think Rohr has the midas touch to deliver against top opposition from how I have seen him handle games with big nations so far. Till date I still blame him for substituting Chukwueze against Algeria that led to our elimination. It’s the nations cup or nothing with this Caliber of players that come seasonally.Even the great Brazilian Coach once said Nigeria is luck to have Osimhem,Chukueze , et all
Take this top coaches words with a pinch of salt.They laud and defeat you.Rohr does the same.
Ours players are doing so well likewise those of Morocco,Senegal,Algeria and Cote d’Ivoire.Because we follow up our own more that’s why we think winning the nations cup is a must,but realistically it won’t be easy especially at the later stages of the competition when you come across the best teams in Africa.
The tournament participants increasing to 24 teams makes it even harder because you have to play 7 games to win it and required to win at least 5 of these games,4 of your must wins starts in the knockout stages against formidable teams that have excelled in different group stages.
Let us cut down our expectations and rid the coach of pressure.We could win it the signs are there,the players are young fit and most of them are regulars in top European leagues.They have played together under the same coach for over 5 years going so there are obvious reasons to be optimistic but realistically.
Thank you Greenturf.
@Dennis stay there and be lamenting on top nothing. I still repeat Nigeria having players scoring goal every weeks does not in any way translate to having upper hand winning the forthcoming nations cup. If u like u and your like can cry till tomorrow if things are not put in place and no element of luck on Nigeria side we will not win the nations cup even if u parade Guardiola join with Klopp as eagles coach. Mind you am not defending Rohr but stop stop blaming for him for every thing because other African countries players are scoring goals and are also want to win the nations cup. #fact
@Dennis stay there and be lamenting on top nothing. I still repeat Nigeria having players scoring goal every weeks does not in any way translate to having upper hand winning the forthcoming nations cup. If u like u and your like can cry till tomorrow if things are not put in place and no element of luck on Nigeria side we will not win the nations cup even if u parade Guardiola join with Klopp as eagles coach. Mind you am not defending Rohr but stop stop blaming him for every thing because other African countries players are scoring goals and are also want to win the nations cup. #fact
You’re welcome @Dennis
Did you just see Salah’s goal against Mancity? No disrespect to our players but don’t think players of other African countries are not doing enough. Assuming we will win the nations Cup because ONLY NIGERIAN PLAYERS are doing well in Europe is a very tall ambition.
_ Onyeka Does It Again! _
Super Eagles Mr Fantastic Frank Onyeka followed up his scintillating performance against Liverpool last weekend with another A1 display in his side’s impressive 2:1 win against West Ham today.
It has to be said though that Onyeka’s most telling contributions often come off the ball which can makes his impact lost to the naked eye at times.
Never one to routinely run at opponents or drive the ball up field with terror or confuse opponents with fancy footworks, Onyeka’s movements help his team maintain their shape and frees up others around him to inflict the most damage.
His silent influence helped Brentford shock Liverpool last weekend by coming back to snatch an unlikely draw before doing a number on West Ham today.
If he keeps this up, Onyeka will be the unsung hero of his club at the end of the season.
Of the 29 touches Onyeka made in the 82 minutes he spent on the pitch today, he accomplished 82% pass accuracy. He was involved in 9 ground duels where 3 of these were won neatly by the Super Eagles midfielder.
As already mentioned, his best contribution came in the way of movements which ensured his team’s formational arrangements remained in sync.
Onyeka is fast proving to be a silent achiever in England. A look at his heatmap shows a player full of purposeful movements that deter and discourages opposition attacking intent.
It is no surprise then that Brentford have only tasted defeat once in the six games that Onyeka has featured this season.
For Nigeria though, Super Eagles fans would like more involvement from Onyeka with the ball as well as without it. And based on his UEFA Champions League exposure (and how offensive he was at times in his previous club) the 23 year old mathematical midfielder has it in him to be as explosive with the ball as he is without it.
Super Eagles fans will soon find out just how deadly Onyeka can be!
Mobile and fluid midfielders like Alex Iwobi and Joe Aribo will love playing alongside Onyeka in the Super Eagles.
The Brentford-Bulwark in midfield will give his Super Eagles colleagues freedom to drive forward, express their creativity and implement the coaches tactical instructions safe in the knowledge that the midfield tactical arrangements will remain intact.
Onyeka is not one to be easily drawn out of position. He keeps it simple but effective.
He will be a major asset if available and selected for the Afcon in January.
This guy you are a wonderful observant journalist and I love how you compose your points without being a proud person or mannerless egoist. Dr. Drey, TAYO, JIMMYBALL, CHIMA, UBAH, UGO, AND MANY MORE. I am a civil servant and most of you can get into problems because of your forcefulness. Let us all learn from Deo.
Then go and bring your Keshi. I don’t know what some of you used to smoke that always turn your brain offside down on this Rohr matter? Every little things Rohr this Rohr that. So because some of your players scored over the weekend now Rohr should not have his breath agains hence, he has to win Nations cup as if to say it’s only Nigeria players that are scoring goals. Nawa pool don’t know when calibers or volumes of players a country has translate to winning tournament, go and ask Cote’dvoire and Ghana golden era with the likes of Drogba, Asamoah Gyan etc during their prime time what they ever won even with them having a world class coach then mtcheeeeew.
Bobo Calm Down your own don too much Jo. Stop talking people down Jare me self I like the coach but I don’t like the way you dey project attitude for person wey no fight you. @Officer Dennis has made examples we must stop this negative behaviors and project our selves well as Nigerians because alot of readers are universal.
@Kel Exactly my brother after he challenged his colleague @Gowetok harshly, he then resorted to lodge a lose excuse Case to the public on behalf of the coach. What this means is that Nigerians should not expect anything. Then why are we hopeful or why are we competing? Why are the strikers painting Europe with goals? Why are you rude to your fellow Nigerians for being Hungry to Win after Keshi? Are you a true son of Yoruba Land?
Awoniyi scored a brace today and he was a joy to watch…… Awoniyi has grown into the modern day centre forward an orthodox number 9……I want to see this guy in SE no matter what it’s going to take…….The earlier we start blending him into the team the better for us……..I mean we need every standard player of Nigerian origin playing in a top5 league in the SE……Not when we have an injury crisis or issues we will now be running from Piller to post calling up players out of panic…….Taiwo Awoniyi needs to be gradually integrated in SE now.
Sir you are very right but the Nigeria coach says he does not need new players. In Africa every team has a first eleven and they can’t go with form, because the African coaches most of the time except for Algeria and Senegal, who are usually blessed with technically sound coaches can inject new inform players. These players blend seamlessly and also due to alot of preparation matches. So for a country like Nigeria we struggle because we know our coach is a not a fantastic coach When matched against a technically sound team.He also can not integrate new players straight away, even with friendlies he doesn’t test new invited players enough and to make matters worse NFF doesn’t give more freedom as well. So the coach is left to struggle even more. As it stands Nigerians should blame NFF and not the Coach because the Coach might do better if given free hand so at same time I don’t dispute that the coach still has the chance to win something. Let us be positive as Nigerians and be prayerful.
@AKP as if the coach was reading your comment… Awoniyi just replaced injured Tarem Moffi
Any links Pls?
The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed on Sunday evening that the former Liverpool striker ( Taiwo Awoniyi ) has been called up to replace the injured Lorient striker Terem Moffi for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
Source : http://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=41274
@James Agberebi stop misleading people with false information please. Olise was born in France not England.
Taiwo the son of Awoniyi#
https://youtu.be/h95HqfOxVAM
Congratulations to iHeanacho for scoring on his 25th birthday.
Lol. Another Kel don dey this forum? Hehehe. Second time I’m noticing a comment from another Kel (another thread I think from last week). Hmmm… How we go do this one now. Guy, I know say nobody get copyright, but maybe you fit add a letter or word to differentiate. You know, like Congo Brazzaville and Congo Kinshasa (DRC). Cheers.
Hahahahaha….they have switched to impersonating you too…??? LMAOOOo. Welcome to the club. Somebody obviously wants to use your image to repair his own battered or ‘non grata-ed’ image….LMAOoo
I really don’t understand what sense there is in impersonating someone else, to gain recognition. They started with pompei, also tried to be a Dr.Drey, but the harder they tried, the harder they failed and fell.
Its not their fault anyways, its all down to CSNs poor online forum quality management system. Otherwise many of these riffraffs wouldn’t have an abode here.
What at all is wrong with you guys? You are using my name and you want me to add Congo and other country. And you Dr can you respect yourself? I have kept comment guidelines and never insulted anyone for you to come and talk to me as you are known for arrogance and childishness.
You wont get neither the attention nor the recognition you are craving. Saam saam…..You wouldnt…!!!
Dr.Drey, nah so I see am? The thing shock me. The guy even replied you using ‘Kel.’ Anyway, I think regular forumites can easily tell the commentary styles of most monikers here and can sniff it when a comment doesn’t sit right with a moniker.
Kasper Schmeichel and Hugo Lloris conceded yet again. It’s the former’s 7 consecutive matches without a clean sheet and at least 4 for Lloris. These two goalkeepers must be quacks and must lose their no.1 position for club and country. Lol. Congrats to Iheanacho and Awoniyi.
http://www.livetotal.tv/c/football/netherlands-eredivisie/03-10-2021/psv-eindhoven-vs-sparta/2/
http://www.hesgoal.com/news/88460/Maccabi_Tel_Aviv_vs_Hapoel_Jerusalem.html
Im currently watching two young nigerian goalkeepers Maduka and Adelye doing their stuff. Both of them showing so much potentials. Its 16 minutes in Eindhoven and Maduka has made 3 breath taking saves already. Adeleye too has kept his team in the game 2ce as the 2nd half has just kicked off.
If and only if we can exercise patience with these kids and let them evolve instead of destiny killers using their evil tongues to ruin them because of parochial sentiments.
The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed on Sunday evening that the former Liverpool striker ( Taiwo Awoniyi ) has been called up to replace the injured Lorient striker Terem Moffi for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
Source : http://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=41274