Super Eagles midfielder Joe Aribo scored for Southampton in their penalty shootout to help them defeat Everton in the round of 32 of the EFL Cup, Soccernet.ng reports.
Aribo was benched in Southampton’s 3-0 bashing against Manchester United last weekend. However, he returned to the starting eleven when the Saints traveled to Goodison Park to take on Everton in the round of 32.
Southampton had a rocky start, as Abdoulaye Doucoure scored the opener for Everton in the 20th minute. However, Taylor Hardwood-Bellis scored the equalizer for Southampton in the 31st minute.
Aribo was quite influential in the game, registering 54 touches, a 93% pass accuracy, and one shot on goal. But he failed to register any goal or assist. The game eventually ended 1-1 after 90 minutes, and went into penalties.
Aribo was among the shooters for Southampton, and he converted his own kick. Unfortunately for Everton, Ashley Young missed his own kick when it went into sudden death, ensuring that the Saints ran out as winners.
Meanwhile, at Preston, Calvin Bassey was benched, while Alex Iwobi got 13 minutes of action for Fulham in their penalty shootout loss to Preston North End.
Ryan Ledson gave Preston North End the lead in the first half, but Reiss Nelson scored the equalizer for Fulham in the second half. Iwobi was introduced into the game in the 77th minute, bur he failed to produce any big moment.
The game eventually dragged into penalties, and Iwobi scored two of his kicks as both sides played 17 each. Unfortunately for Fulham, Timothy Castagne scored his last spot kick, and that cost them the game.
Fulham cost their loss by benched Iwobi and Bassey throughout the match, Iwobi would have changed the match for them if introduced immediately at the beginning of the second half…