Wilfred Ndidi made his 34th Premier League appearance for Leicester who drew 2-2 away at West Ham at the Olympic stadium report Completesports.com.
Harvey Barnes scored a late goal to salvage a point for the Foxes.
Michaili Antonio shot the Hammers into the lead after 38 minutes but Jamie Vardy restored parity for the Foxes.
Lucas Perez made it 2-1
for the Hammers in the 82nd minute of the win.
The Nigerian international,Ndidi who has been shortlisted for Leicester City player of the year award missed a chance
to put the Foxes into the lead in the 70th minute.
Ndidi’s compatriot, Kelechi Iheanacho came on for Demarai Gray in the 84th minute.
The game was his 29th of the season for Leicester City.
Isaac Success made his 27th Premier League appearance for Watford coming on as a 72nd minute substitute for Andre Gray in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Huddersfield Town at the Vicarage Road.
Gerard Deulofeu scored a goal in each half for the Hornets.
Ahearne-Grant grabbed a consolatory goal for Huddersfield Town late on in the game who are already relegated to English Championship.
At the Molineaux, Leon Balogun was not listed in Brighton Hove Albion’s squad that forced Wolves to a goalless draw.
Elsewhere, Fulham handed Bournemouth a shock 1-0 defeat at the Vitality stadium.
15 Comments
Iheanacho came real close to finding the net today. Good movement, showed hunger for the ball. He obviously wanted to score. He was indirectly involved in the late Leicester equalizer. Exchanging passes with players around him, and then finding the player who’s thru pass released Barnes to score with a nice grass cutter. His performance today might make Rohr think twice about dropping him….especially if he produces this kind of form in the next few games. An in-form Iheanacho may not start for the SE, but he can be a great option to have on the bench.
Yes you are right, added spark to Leicester city attack which left to the late equalizer, I think Rojers confidence in him is increasing. I hope he ceases his moment in the few games left.
But as for AFCON, he still has a lot to do, because many of his competitors are in top form. The gap he left with his inactivity has opened the door for several other in-form players to fill.
The likes of Osimen, Onuachu, Onyekweru can join Ighalo in the attack. Other fringe players like Simmy, Nwakeme are knocking on the door with their goal scoring form.
He can still make AFCON, but he need to rediscover his killer instinct in the remaining 4 games. Which is not impossible but maybe a tall order. I wish him all the best.
deo’s roundup
Goalkeepers:
Akpeyi: As expected, erratic Akpeyi was not involved in his team’s cup match yesterday against his previous club due to technicalities. The 32 year old was however restored to the starting line-up in his Kaizer Chiefs’ last league match against Black Leopards last weekend which ended 1:1. Before then he had been on the bench for 3 league matches.
Kaizer Chiefs haven’t lost any game that Akpeyi has started. However, the Super Eagles number 3 has conceded 5 goals in 4 games and is yet to keep a clean sheet since moving from relegation-threatened Chippa United.
Ezenwa: The bubbly Ezenwa, whose flamboyant goal celebrations often deflect attention away from his goalkeeping flaws, is expected to man the post for Katsina United today away to Wikki Tourists in the NPFL having done so in their last 4 league fixtures.
In Katsina United’s last 6 games, the 2008 Olympic Silver Medalist, who manned the post in 4 of those games, has conceded 3 goals and kept a clean sheet in the 2:0 home win against Lobi Stars in the tail end of March.
Uzoho: The Super Eagles number one is going through a mini-crisis at the moment which started with him losing his starting slot in Elche (in Spain) and ended with a red card a couple of weeks ago for allegedly making obscene gestures to opposing fans in his new base in Cyprus. Sandwiched between those two were the medical document forgery scandal in Cyprus and his shambolic display against Seychelles for Nigeria – all of these of incidences between January and March 2018.
Rohr has been quoted as saying he will send goalkeeper trainers to him in Cyprus – like he had done before last year’s world cup – to help Uzoho’s fitness levels ahead of the Afcon in June.
CORRECTION: ***** – all of these of incidences between January and March 2019. ***
deo’s round up part 2:
Defence:
Balogun: As I had expected, the best Nigerian central defender (in the eyes of some) was nowhere near the match day squad for lowly Brighton in the English Premier League as they mustered a dull 0:0 draw against Wolves yesterday in the EPL.
I often wonder: if the best Nigerian defender out there is not getting game time in modest Brighton, is that a reflection of the quality of players we have in that department in this period?
Checking stats, I discovered that Balogun, whose clumsiness often see him bump into his fellow defenders when playing for Nigeria (eg Nig v Arg and Nig v Eng), has been on the bench 16 times this season and has been altogether excluded from match-day squads in 10 matches.
So, the tall defender, who is not that clinical in aerial combats, has missed 26 out of 35 matches.
Omeruo: It will be Abia state vs Kaduna state today as the worlds of Chukwueze and Omeruo collide in the Spanish la liga later on today.
Error-prone Omeruo was in action midweek as he saw 90 minutes of action in his team’s impressive 1:1 draw against mighty Real Madrid in the leagues.
The highly experienced Afcon winning double World Cup (2014 and 2018) participant has had his most consistent season to date having played in 22 out of his team’s last 25 matches – largely playing full 90 minutes.
Troost Ekong: Mr Reliable Ekong was involved in his team’s 1:1 draw against Sassuolo in Italy yesterday.He saw 76 minutes of action.
The central defender has played no less than 30 games for his team this season.
Collins: In the eyes of many, Jamilu Collins has already made the left fullback position of the national team his own.
Rumours have it that Jamilu was seeking a move away from his German division 2 side but was convinced to stay-put by coach Rohr for the sake of regular football.
The left-back was on from start to finish as his team overcame Holstein Kiel 2:1 yesterday.
He still has Bryan Idowu to contend with as the versatile and lightning-quick defender has now featured in 5 of his team’s last 6 matches including yesterday’s 1:1 draw to CSKA Moscow.
Shehu: The Super Eagles right-back saw 1 minute action yesterday in his team’s 1:1 draw to Kasimpasa. He had been rooted to the bench in the previous league fixture.
The player breathing down Shehu’s neck for the starting right back positions, Ola Aina, saw 90 minutes of action yesterday in his team’s 1:0 slim victory away to Genoa.
deo’s round up part 3
Midfield:
Mikel: The Super Eagles captain delivered a delicious long ball from deep in the lead up to his team’s goal against Stoke on Friday. Mikel often oozes of pure class in the middle of the park for his team.
The 2013 Afcon winning captain has played in Stoke’s last 16 matches, featuring for 90 minutes in no less than 12 of those matches.
Etebo: Describing Etebo’s performance against Middlesbrough on Friday, Martin Spinks wrote on stokesentinal: “ Grew into the game and saw more of the ball without being able to conjure that magical moment 6/10.”
The 2016 Olympic football ace recently discovered his scoring boots for Stoke City and we Super Eagles fan will be hoping he re-discovers his goal scoring boot for the national team, more so as he is been entrusted with freekick taking responsibilities (to this dismay of many fans).
Fellow central midfielder, versatile Semi Ajayi, saw 57 minutes of action and also saw yellow (card), in his team’s loss away to Swansea. Should Rotherham get relegated to division 3 and Semi fails to find a new club in the EFL or higher, will he continue to be invited to the national team?
Iwobi: Left winger Iwobi, who often plays centrally for Nigeria, is expected to be involved in Arsenal’s game against Crystal Palace later today.
In fact, Iwobi has been involved in 31 out of 34 games for Arsenal term. What frustrates most Arsenal fans is his paltry returns in front of goal which have seen him score only 3 goals in 31 league matches.
Compare that to a fellow African left winger Sadio Mane who has scored no less than 17 goals in almost similar number of matches (although Iwobi has clocked less overall number of minutes playing time).
Still no wonder one is regarded as world class by club fans and the other continues to frustrate his club fans. This has nothing to do with the English media being biased!
Correction: *****The 2013 Afcon winning captain has played in Middlesbrough’s last 16 matches *****
Afcon winner. Not captain! Deo nor let yobo catch u oh. Even Enyeama was vice captain. Anyway i appreciate ur analysis.
Oops! Sorry!
I stand corrected. Thanks for pointing it out. We all feed off each others knowledge.
Cheers Collins
Ndidi: The Leicester City defensive midfield requires special mention as arguably Nigeria’s most high profile player out there at the moment.
After experiencing a minor slump in form in the dying days of Coach Puel’s reign as Leicester City coach, Ndidi appears to now be enjoying a new renaissance in the architecture of his football with the figures (stats) starting again to compare favourably with some of the best tacklers on the planet.
With his sternest challenger, Mikel Agu, now effectively out of the Afcon picture due to injury-induced lay off, Ndidi’s starting position for Nigeria is no longer under threat (regardless of the number of goals Semi Ajay scores in the English Championship for Relegation threatening Rotherham).
Wow, your wonderful analysis is all l need to know about what is going on with our players around the World. Thank you for your time, deo.
Have a wonderful Easter Sunday, our good friend.
Thank you sir; Happy Easter to you too.
deo’s round up (final part)
Attack:
Ighalo: If a dog bites a man, that is not news. However, if a man bites a dog, that is news! The constant news of Ighalo’s goal scoring exploits in China is not news to me anymore. He knows the league so well and has developed advanced capabilities of how to run rings around defenders there.
What will be news is if he goes like 3 games or more without finding the back of the net; that will be news!
Since the start of the season, Ighalo has scored 5 goals in 5 games (100% record) in China. By the end of the season, I expect him to even improve on that 100% record (crazy isn’t it?)
Iheanacho: Coming in, in the 85th minute against West Ham yesterday, Iheanacho still did enough to show that he has what it takes to play high level football.
With his team trailing 2:1, Iheanacho created acres of space for himself to receive a pass, and then delivering the pass that led to the through-ball that eventually released Harvey Barnes to race through and smash the net for Leicester’s equaliser.
The much-criticised forward still has the quality but questionable work ethics and lack of playing opportunities have conspired to undermine his immense abilities.
Isaac Success: Watching him yesterday somewhat reminded me of Amokachi. Success was like a bull after being introduced in the second half (having being out due to injury in previous games). He held up the ball well and tried to make things happen up front.
The 2013 World Cup winner (u-17 level) still has a lot to prove as far as national team football is concerned but he has done enough to cement his place a key part of Watford squad this season. Hopefully – with hard work and concentration – he can build up on this next season.
Ahmed Musa: Just under 2 weeks ago, I wrote that Ahmed Musa’s barrenness in front of goals over 2 months was becoming a thing of mild worry. Well, I can confirm that he read my post and replied with 2 goals in his team last league fixture during the week.
The African world cup legend, who was rate 9.2/10 in that match, completed 71% of his passes, won three duels and also completed 3 of his four dribbles.
Other wingers have also been doing well: Moses Simon continues to feature regularly Spain whilst Samuel Chukwueze continues to churn out jaw dropping performances for Villareal who dropped out of the Europa league and are also sinking fast in the la liga.
Another winger, Onyekuru, was not involved in his team’s fixture this weekend due to accumulation of yellow cards
@Deo, good analysis, but i will disagree with Villareal sinking fast. The reality is that Chukwueze and his team are continuously climbing up the Laliga table. Presently on 14 after a convincing victory over Omeruo’s Legarnes. So the relegation battle has been won. So kudos to Villareal team.
Thanks @Ikeben.
Although Villarreal won today, they are technically still not out of relegation waters.
With 5 more games to go, Villarreal (on 36 points) could still be caught and overtaken by 3rd from bottom team Villadoid (on 32 points).
A very poor run of results for Villarreal could even see second from bottom Rayo V (on 28 points) overtake them – this scenario, though highly unlikely,is still nonetheless a possibility.
You have to wonder how a team like Villarreal found themselves in this position to start with.