It was an afternoon of mixed fortunes for Nigeria’s international stars in the English Premier League.
At the Etihad Stadium, Frank Onyeka delivered an impressive job in midfield to help Brentford stun Manchester City 2-1 away from home.
Onyeka was on for 87 minutes, completing 69% of his passes, winning four duels, and making one tackle.
A brace from Ivan Toney (the second goal arrived in the eighth minute of added time) was all the Bees needed to force only a second home defeat in 2022 down the throat of Pep Guardiola and company.
At the City Ground, Nottingham Forest lifted themselves off the foot of the league table with a crucial 1-0 win over Crystal Palace.
Nigerian winger Emmanuel Dennis did not make the matchday squad, while compatriot Taiwo Awoniyi watched the proceedings from the bench.
Kelechi Iheanacho was an unused substitute, while Wilfred Ndidi was introduced in the 55th minute as Leicester City sealed a 2-0 away win at West Ham United.
Youri Tielemans missed a first-half penalty, but goals from James Maddison and Harvey Barnes powered the Foxes to the three points at stake.
Joe Aribo’s first game at Anfield in the colours of Southampton ended in defeat as Liverpool ran out 3-1 winners over the visitors.
Che Adams’ equaliser cancelled out Roberto Firmino’s opener, but Darwin Nunez’s double clocked the victory in Liverpool’s favour.
Aribo came off the bench a few minutes before the match’s end with all three points already in the Liverpool kitty.
Alex Iwobi and Everton slipped to 17th on the Premier League table after suffering a 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
Nice