Categories: NewsNewsNowNigeria

Premier League: Kelechi off the mark for Leicester as he joins Okocha and Martins’ club

The former Manchester City man is finally off the mark in the English top-flight this season, and it came on his special day 

Super Eagles star Kelechi Iheanacho was on target for Leicester City in their Premier League clash against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday afternoon.

Iheanacho, who was making his first league start of the season, opened the scoring for Brendan Rodgers men in the 31st minute.

The Nigerian international dispossessed Joachim Andersen off the ball to slot past Vicente Guaita in Crystal Palace’s goal.

Iheanacho, who turned 25 today, became the third Nigerian after Austin Jay-Jay Okocha (2004) and Obafemi Martins (2008) to score in the Premier League on their birthday.

Jamie Vardy doubled Leicester’s lead six minutes after Iheanacho’s strike to put the away side in a commanding position at the break.

However, Palace returned with more purpose on resumption, and they pulled one back in the 61st minute through Super Eagles hopeful Michael Olise.

The 19-year-old, who arrived from Reading in the summer, converted from close range to put Patrick Vieira’s side back in the game.

Olise’s goal increased the pressure, and it eventually paid off as Jefferey Schlupp’s strike completed the comeback in the 72nd minute.

It’s the least Palace deserved as they were the dominant team in the second half. The draw leaves the Eagles in 14th place, one point and a place behind their opponents.

This post was last modified on October 8, 2021 5:20 pm

Joba Ogunwale

Oluwajoba Ogunwale has many years of experience as a sports content writer. The most recent of these was at Opera News, after which he took up the role of Editor-in-Chief at Soccernet.

Share
Published by
Joba Ogunwale

Recent Posts

“There is another question mark” – Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso on Boniface’s injury return date

Bayer Leverkusen manager, Xabi Alonso, has raised uncertainty over the return of Super Eagles forward,… Read More

22 minutes ago

Nottingham Forest unwilling to sell Super Eagles star despite exit links

English Premier League high-flyers Nottingham Forest are unwilling to sell Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi… Read More

7 hours ago

Footballer turned Golfer: Odemwingie hungry to raise Olympic-level competitors in Nigeria

Former Super Eagles and LOSC Lille striker, Peter Osaze Odemwingie, is putting in the underground… Read More

12 hours ago

From John Finch to Éric Chelle: Who are the 37 coaches that have led the Super Eagles?

The appointment of Éric Sékou Chelle as the new head coach of the Super Eagles… Read More

13 hours ago

Trabzonspor make fresh transfer decision on Bruno Onyemaechi as Boavista insist on ₦4.7 billion deal

Trabzonspor's bid to secure Nigerian international Bruno Onyemaechi from Portuguese side Boavista has reportedly stalled… Read More

13 hours ago

Crystal Palace vs Stockport: Super Eagles’ Bright Osayi-Samuel reacts to Eze Eberechi’s standout performance

Super Eagles defender Bright Osayi-Samuel has praised the performance of Crystal Palace forward Eberechi Eze… Read More

13 hours ago