EPL: Iwobi, Bassey play crucial roles in Fulham win

Super Eagles of Nigeria players Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey put in crucial contributions to lead Fulham to a deserved 3-1 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Sunday. The duo was instrumental in all three goals that gave the visitors maximum points, as Iwobi scored a goal and provided an assist, while […]

Super Eagles of Nigeria players Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey put in crucial contributions to lead Fulham to a deserved 3-1 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.

The duo was instrumental in all three goals that gave the visitors maximum points, as Iwobi scored a goal and provided an assist, while Bassey earned a penalty that was also converted.

Iwobi’s corner kick delivery was met with a powerful Raul Jimenez header to put Fulham ahead on 54 minutes.

Bassey then chipped in with the crucial opportunity for a second goal seven minutes later when his shirt was pulled in the box, and the penalty awarded following VAR review was slotted home by Jimenez to double the Cottagers’ advantage.

Despite a Le Fee penalty halving the deficit, Iwobi restored Fulham’s two-goal advantage five minutes before the end, running the length of the field to finish off a counter-attack into the far corner from a tight angle, sealing a much-needed win for Marco Silva’s side.

The win ended a three-match losing streak for Fulham who climbed above Sunderland and Newcastle to 10th position on the log.

It was however a sad end to the match for Ola Aina and Nottingham Forest who conceded a 97th-minute goal to lose 1-0 to Liverpool at the City Ground. The Nigerian defender was one of the better performers on the pitch but could not prevent Alexi Mac Allister- who saw a goal ruled out for offside earlier- score to hand Liverpool the crucial three points in the race for a top-four finish.

Consecutive victories for the Reds sees Arne Slot’s side move level with Manchester United who play Monday night on 55 points, while Forest are two points above relegation, with 11 matches left to play this season.

Tolu Arokodare also suffered similar fate as his ten-man Wolverhampton Wanderers lost 1-0 to Crystal Palace. The energetic forward however saw his penalty kick saved in the 43rd minute, before Palace responded with a late winner to seal all three points.