Boxing Day Wrap: Okereke, Onuachu Come Tops With Goals, Ndidi Thrashed With Leicester City

Nigeria born stars were in action for their different clubs in Europe with some claiming sweet victories while others suffered humiliating defeats.

In Belgium, David Okereke bagged a second half brace to help league leaders Club Brugge power to a delightful 4-0 win over Zulte Waregem.

Krépin Diatta broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark before David Okereke – introduced into the encounter for compatriot Dennis Emmanuel – put the game to bed with a second-half double. Ruud Vormer then opened his account with the game’s fourth goal in stoppage time.

Bukayo Saka played all 90 minutes as Arsenal forced Bournemouth to a 1-1 draw at the Vitality Stadium. Dan Gosling got the hosts in front in the 35th minute, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang equalized for Mikel Arteta’s side just past the hour mark.

Paul Onuachu scored his second goal in his last three appearances as Genk defeated Eupen 2-1 at the Luminus Arena. Japanese star Junya Ito got the opener for Racing in the first half before the Super Eagles’ striker doubled the advantage shortly after the restart. Jean Thierry Lazare Amani reduced the deficit for the visitors later in the tie.

Nigeria international Semi Ajayi was yet again a defensive stronghold for West Bromwich Albion as the Baggies claimed a 1-1 draw at Barnsley. Slaven Bilic’s side would be disappointed with the point earned though, having led the game since the fifth minute, but got caught with a late equalizer.

Another decent Wilfred Ndidi display for Leicester City was drowned by a heavy defeat to league leaders Liverpool. A Roberto Firmino brace and further goals from James Milner and Trent Alexander-Arnold condemned Brendan Rodgers’ second-placed side to an embarrassing 4-0 loss to the world champions at the King Power Stadium.

The defeat means the Foxes are now a huge 13 points behind the Reds with the Premier League title now Jurgen Klopp’s men’s to lose.