EiE: Forgotten Iheanacho is back with a bang

Forgotten Super Eagles forward, Kelechi Iheanacho, is back in the news, this time for the right reason after he ended his over a year goal drought in the Premier League, PL.

EiE recaps his display and the performances of other Super Eagles stars plying their trade in Europe during the weekend.

But first, let’s make a stop in France where it ended in praises as Osimhen returned from suspension to score his eighth goal of the season for Lille as they defeated Dijon 1-0 at home.

The 20-year-old netted the decisive goal from the spot in the first half, but was also at his creative best after he created the most chances (3) in the game.

He has now been involved in ten Ligue goals (8 goals, two assists) in 14 league matches this season for Lille.

Samuel Kalu was outshone by his compatriot at Bordeaux, Josh Maja, who scored for the second consecutive week.

Maja scored the opener for Bordeaux at Reims, who will deny the visitors all three points with a heartbreaking equaliser in added time to share the spoils.

Maja was on from start to finish while Kalu lasted just a minute over an hour.

Moses Simon was at his creative best as Nantes defeated Toulouse at home 2-1. Moses created four chances, and recorded four key passes with one of them ending up as an assist.

Moses’ assist was for the second goal of the day before the visitors grabbed a consolation for themselves. He also added three take-ons to his 90 minutes of action.

To Spain where Samuel Chukwueze was handed just 27 minutes of action in the LaLiga.

The dazzling winger was a second half substitute and came on with both Villareal and Valencia locked at 1-1.

But despite his mazy runs which led to six dribbles completed (the most in the game), one chance and key pass made, Villarreal ended up with a 2-1 defeat to their hosts.

Chidozie Awaziem returned to the Leganes starting XI for the eighth time this season but was helpless as they lost 1-0 at Sevilla.

It was his first appearance for the struggling side since November 3 as he picked up his second yellow card of the season, while national teammate, Kenneth Omeruo, was not listed for the Seville trip.

Ramon Azeez was another Super Eagle to suffer defeat in LaLiga as Granada lost 2-0 at Athletic Club on Sunday.

Azeez was, however, an unused player as he watched their loss from the bench.

Ola Aina was an unused substitute in Italy as Torino recorded a narrow 1-0 win at Genoa.

Troost-Ekong has had two weeks to forget after giving away his second consecutive penalty in the Serie A.

After conceding one in their lost at Sampdoria a week ago, Ekong gave away another penalty at the weekend to help Udinese record a 3-0 loss at Lazio.

Not the best of times for the Super Eagles first-choice center back.

Another defender having a difficult time in Europe is Jamilu Collins whose Paderborn looks destined for a quick return to the German second division.

Paderborn suffered another defeat at the weekend this time a 2-3 loss to high-flying RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga with Collins on from start to finish.

Dennis Bonaventure was benched for 90 minutes as Club Brugges defeated Royal Excel 1-0 in the Belgian Jupiler.

Paul Onuachu fired blanks for Genk in their 1-2 defeat at home to St.Truiden. He came on in the second half, playing for just 29 minutes.

Finally, in England, Alex Iwobi and Everton were denied a point by the brilliance of his compatriot Kelechi Iheanacho.

With Everton 0-1 ahead at the King Power, Iheanacho came off the bench to inspire the Foxes to a 2-1 win.

The forgotten Super Eagle assisted one, after combining effectively with fellow Nigerian and Super Eagles star player, Wilfred Ndidi, and scored the other goal as Leicester City recorded their sixth consecutive win in the PL.

While Ndidi put in a man of the match display, creating four chances, four key passes, interceptions, 100% take-ons completed, and one tackle won, the day undoubted belonged to Iheanacho.

In the lower division, Stoke City, who are still without the injured Oghenekaro Etebo, lost 1-2 at home to Blackburn.

Bonus

Kelechi Iheanacho was the star of the weekend after inspiring Leicester City to an historic sixth consecutive win in the Premier League. 

Over a year since his last goal in the exciting PL, Iheanacho ended that drought in brilliant fashion at the weekend against Everton in what was his first appearance for Leicester in the league this season.

The former Manchester City star came off the bench with the Foxes 0-1 down. But in just 28 minutes, Iheanacho changed the tide for them.

He combined with Ndidi to create the equaliser scored by Vardy before sealing all three points with the winner in added.

First match, first goal and assist in the PL now for Iheanacho. He is back!!

Cover photo credit: Daily Star UK