EPL wrap : Iheanacho involved in 3 goals; Lookman strikes;Ndidi benched; Balogun, Tella, Olise, Eze missing

Published: December 26, 2021

Allnigeriasoccer.com's round-up of Nigeria-eligible players that were in action for their respective clubs in the English Premier League on Sunday, December 26, 2021.

At the Etihad Stadium, Kelechi Iheanacho, making his first Premier League start in almost two months, gave a good account of himself despite Leicester City's 6-3 loss against his old club Manchester City.

Ademola Lookman was part of the Foxes front three while Wilfred Ndidi dropped to the bench in one of six changes made to the side that started against Liverpool midweek.

The Citizens were cruising at halftime, leading 4-0 courtesy of strikes from Riyad Mahrez, Ilkay Gundogan, Raheem Sterling and Aymeric Laporte.

James Maddison pulled one back early in the 55th minute and his goal was swiftly followed by Ademola Lookman also finding the net in the 59th minute, with Iheanacho providing the assists for both goals.

Iheanacho turned from provider to scorer when he tapped the ball home from close range in the 65th minute but Aymeric Laporte was able to edge Man City into a 5-3 lead in the 69th minute before Sterling wrapped up the scoring three minutes from time.

At Carrow Road, goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo and Folarin Balogun were omitted from the matchday squad as Arsenal continued their fine form with a 5-0 thrashing of Norwich City.

Bukayo Saka broke the deadlock in the sixth minute and a fine strike from Kieran Tierney doubled the lead just before halftime.

Saka again scored midway through the second half, Alexandre Lacazette increased the advantage from the spot in the 84th minute and Emile Smith Rowe made it five in stoppage time as the Gunners made it back-to-back wins on the road.

Nigeria Football Federation targets Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise were among those missing from Crystal Palace's matchday squad in a 3-0 loss to Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Harry Kane, Lucas Moura and Heung-Min Son got the goals for Antonio Conte's team.

Southampton, without winger Nathan Tella in the squad, registered a 3-2 road win over West Ham United at the London Stadium.

Moi Elyounoussi fired the Saints ahead after eight minutes, Michail Antonio equalised three minutes after the restart, Ward-Prowse restored the visitors' one-goal advantage from the spot just past the hour mark.

West Ham found another leveler as Said Benrahma fired home a superb strike in the 64th minute but Jan Bednarek gave the Saints the lead for the third time when he headed the ball home six minutes later.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : lcfc.com

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