EiE: Ndidi, Chukwueze on target in a quiet weekend

The European season is truly back with Super Eagles duo of Wilfred Ndidi and Samuel Chukwueze amongst the goals at the weekend.

Both players were just part of a few who got on the pitch as I review their performances.

It was a quick switch from zero to hero for Ndidi on Sunday as atoned for a mistake against Chelsea on Sunday.

A sloppy play from defensive midfielder was punished by Mason Mount to put Chelsea 1-0 up against the Foxes but Ndidi will correct his mistakes later when his bullet header rescued a point for his side at Stamford Bridge.

Apart from that mistake, Ndidi was his usual self in the game, winning seven of eight attempted tackles, four interceptions and making seven recoveries.

Wilfred Ndidi’s game by numbers vs. Chelsea:

7/8 tackles won
7 ball recoveries
4 interceptions
1 shot
1 goal

Made up for his error in style! 🇳🇬🙌 pic.twitter.com/dxNLEf9Lar

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) August 18, 2019

For his compatriot, Kelechi Iheanacho, he was an unused substitute.

Alex Iwobi‘s debut for Everton has been delayed for at least another week after he watched from start to finish their 1-0 win over Watford at Goodison Park on the bench.

Leon Balogun was another Super Eagle star who was not in action at the weekend, the defender was not listed for Brighton and Hove Albion 1-1 draw with West Ham United.

In the English lower division, recalled Semi Ajayi was on from start to finish as West Brom Albion defeated Luton Town 2-1 away from home.

Ajayi made one interception, four clearances and won four aerial duels.

It was a cameo show for Oghenekaro Etebo in Stoke City’s entertaining 2-2 draw with Derby County.

Etebo came off the bench with three minutes left to play.

To the French Ligue 1 where it was indeed a quiet game week for Super Eagles contingents there.

Victor Osimhen, Lille, failed to build on his brace last time out as he was caged for 90 minutes by the Amiens defense in their 1-0 loss.

For Henry Onyekuru, it was a debut to forget as AS Monaco suffered a humiliating 3-0 hammering at Metz.

Onyekuru started that game but was substituted with 20 minutes left.

At Nantes, Moses Simon was not listed at all as they held Marseille to a goalless draw.

In the Bundesliga, Jamilu Collins’ first-ever game in the German top division ended in defeat as Paderborn lost 3-2 at Bayer Leverkusen.

The left-back however featured from start to finish, winning an incredible seven interceptions, 100% of this tackles, and three aerial duels.

Moving now to LaLiga, Samuel Chukwueze is off the mark for the season.

Chukwueze scored his first goal of the season for Villarreal but it was not enough to earn them more than a point against Granada.

His goal handed the Submarines a 4-2 lead, but Granada scored two more goals in the final 15 minutes to end the game at 4-4.

Elsewhere, Chidozie Awaziem and Kenneth Omeruo were missing in action for Leganes who seem to have missed both players after a 0-1 defeat at home to Osasuna.

While Omeruo watched the entire game on the bench, Awaziem was not listed at all.

Bonus

Newly invited Super Eagle, Joe Aribo, celebrated his invitation with another goal for his Scottish club, Rangers.