Former Nigeria Super Eagles striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni made an emotional return to Merseyside as he watched Everton produce a superb performance to beat Chelsea 3-0 in front of their home fans, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 43-year-old, fondly known as ‘The Yak', remains a cult hero among Everton supporters, and his presence outside the stadium created a special atmosphere even before kick-off. Fans gathered to welcome him, singing his famous chant, “Feed the Yak and he’ll score,” a tribute to his prolific spell at the club. It was a moment that showed just how deeply he is still loved on Merseyside.
Alongside Yakubu, several other football greats, including Everton's first-ever Italian signing Marco Materazzi, were at Merseyside to add a touch of global recognition to the occasion.
But once the match began, the focus quickly shifted to the pitch, where Everton delivered a commanding display.
The breakthrough came in the 33rd minute when Beto calmly finished after being played through by James Garner, beating goalkeeper Robert Sánchez. Everton remained in control throughout and doubled their lead in the second half, with Beto scoring again in the 62nd minute, squeezing a low shot through Sánchez’s legs.
The home side sealed the win in the 76th minute when Beto turned provider, setting up Iliman Ndiaye, who cut inside and fired a powerful effort into the top corner. The result lifted Everton up the table and strengthened their push for a European place, while Chelsea were left struggling to keep up in the race for a top-four finish.
The Yak is back on Merseyside. pic.twitter.com/I7EQXkKEoK
— Everton (@Everton) March 21, 2026
Nigeria: Yakubu's Premier League legacy
Yakubu Aiyegbeni was one of the most consistent and powerful strikers to have played in the Premier League.
The retired Super Eagles forward remains the highest-scoring Nigerian in Premier League history, with 95 goals in 252 appearances. Before the rise of modern stars like Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané, Yakubu was one of Africa’s leading goal scorers in England, feared by defenders for his strength, movement, and clinical finishing.
During his time at Everton, he enjoyed some of the best years of his career. After joining from Middlesbrough in 2007 for a then-club record fee, Yakubu made an instant impact, scoring on his debut and going on to net 21 goals in his first season. That achievement made him the first Everton player in over a decade to reach the 20-goal mark in a single campaign.
Across his Premier League journey, Yakubu also built a reputation for delivering in big moments. He scored four hat-tricks in the competition, a record he shares among African players, and even achieved the rare feat of scoring four goals in a single match for two different clubs.
While his career had difficult moments, including a serious injury that slowed his progress, his legacy remains clear. Yakubu Aiyegbeni was a striker defenders feared and fans adored. The Nigerian's return to Merseyside, on a day when Everton produced such a strong performance, felt like a fitting tribute to a player whose impact on the Premier League still stands tall today.
