The Nigerian international played all the 90 minutes for the second consecutive game and scored a brilliant goal to inspire Club Brugge to a fine 3-0 win over Mechelen at the Jan Breydel Stadium on Sunday.
Eight days after Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez back-heeled home an exquisite finish for Barcelona against Mallorca, Nigeria’s Emmanuel Dennis pulled off a goal similar in quality as coach Philipe Clement’s men turned on the style against Mechelen.
South Africa’s Percy Tau opened the scoring for the Blue-Blacks just before the half hour mark, before Dennis grabbed his fourth league goal of the season a couple of minutes later.
Mats Rits added the third for Blauw-Zwart late in the second half, but it was that earlier strike from Brugge’s number 42 that was the highlight of the day.
If Luis Suarez’s goal – Barca’s fourth in the 5-2 thrashing of Mallorca – was out of this world, then Dennis’ incredible backheel should be up there with the best.
The Super Eagles forward confessed afterwards that the former Liverpool striker inspired his strike against Mechelen.
“Since that goal of Suárez this has been in my head constantly,” said the winger according to quotes obtained from HLN Sports.
The 22-year-old ran on to a Percy Tau through ball and, with his back to goal, guided a perfect backheel past the goalkeeper into the back of the net.
It was Dennis’ first league goal since scoring against Gent on October 6. He scored twice at the Bernabeu in the Champions League and grabbed an assist against the same opponent last Wednesday in a 3-1 home loss.