Of the three Nigerian internationals at the Craven Cottage on Saturday, Alex Iwobi stole the headlines as he powered Fulham to a 2-1 win over Leicester City, Soccernet.ng reports.
For the second consecutive Premier League game, Iwobi was named in the Fulham starting lineup alongside international teammate Calvin Bassey.
Newly promoted Leicester City also paraded Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi as the Foxes looked to build on their 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.
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But it was Fulham, fresh from a narrow opening day defeat at Manchester United, who took the lead courtesy of a fine 18th-minute strike from former Arsenal man Emile Smith Rowe.
Leicester City equalised through defender Wout Faes shortly before halftime before Iwobi stole the show midway into the second half.
The Nigerian playmaker raced through on goal after receiving a pass from Antonee Robinson and smashed a left-footed shot through the legs of Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen.
That goal is Iwobi’s first of the season and the 23rd Premier League goal of his career, making him the ninth-highest-scoring Nigerian in the competition’s history.
Iwobi has overtaken former Chelsea forward Victor Moses who managed 20 goals across 220 games for five different clubs.
The Fulham star, however, has some catching up to do before he can match the 27 Premier League goals scored by Victor Anichebe.
There is no touching Nigeria’s finest striker in EPL history, though, Yakubu Aiyegbeni who is on 95 goals. Arsenal hero Nwankwo Kanu has 54 Premier League goals, Efan Ekoku has 53, Shola Ameobi has 43, and Kelechi Iheanacho has 42 to round up Nigeria’s top five.
Still, Iwobi remains behind Peter Odemwingie (37 goals) and Obafemi Martins (28) but the 28-year-old star can boast of being the highest-scoring Nigerian midfielder in Premier League history.
