Sports

Lookman nets twice, assists two in Atalanta win

Lookman, who has emerged as the clear favourite for the 2024 CAF Player of the Year award, put on a masterful performance in Atalanta's emphatic victory on Saturday. He set up Marten de Roon's opener in the sixth minute with a brilliant run down the left flank, then assisted Matteo Retegui three minutes later in a similar fashion.

The 27-year-old, who became the first player in history to score a hat-trick in a European club competition final during Atalanta's Europa League victory over Bayer Leverkusen last season, then set up Charles De Ketelaere's stunning 14th-minute goal.

Not content with his playmaking duties, Lookman demonstrated his clinical finishing in the 29th minute, cutting inside from the left, fooling the custodian with a clever dummy and drilling the ball into the near bottom corner.

The Super Eagles forward, the only African player nominated for the 2024 Ballon d'Or, finished his brace five minutes later, demonstrating his football intelligence by starting a move from midfield and tapping in from close range after De Ketelaere's assist.


He was replaced in the 56th minute, with the game already decided.

In another Serie A match on Friday, Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye kept his second home clean sheet of the season as Udinese defeated Cagliari 2-0. The win, secured by goals from Lorenzo Lucca and Keinan Davis, briefly moved Udinese into fourth place with 16 points after nine games.

ENGLAND

Iwobi maintained his impressive form for Fulham, scoring his 24th Premier League goal in a 1-1 draw with his former club Everton. The midfielder, who scored his first Premier League goal for Arsenal against Everton in March 2016, has now scored twice this season and was involved throughout the game, completing three dribbles and creating two key chances.

The goal marked another milestone in Iwobi's Premier League career, in which he has scored crucial goals for Arsenal, Everton, and now Fulham. His versatility and consistency have made him an important player for Marco Silva's team this season.

Calvin Bassey, his compatriot, also played the full 90 minutes, putting in a solid defensive shift with two duels won and one tackle, as he continues to adjust to English football after joining from Ajax this summer.

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In the Championship, Nigerian duo Josh Maja and Semi Ajayi appeared for West Bromwich Albion in a goalless draw against Cardiff City, with both players demonstrating their abilities despite the lack of goals.


Ola Aina delivered an impressive defensive performance the night before, helping Nottingham Forest defeat Wilfred Ndidi's Leicester City 3-1. Aina played the entire 90 minutes, effectively neutralising Leicester's attacking threats, with Taiwo Awoniyi making a late appearance. Ndidi, deployed in central defence, was replaced in the 74th minute as the Foxes suffered their first defeat in six games.

GERMANY

Boniface made a triumphant return to action after his recent car accident, scoring his sixth Bundesliga goal of the season for Bayer Leverkusen in a 2-2 draw with Werder Bremen.

The striker's 30th-minute goal put Xabi Alonso's side ahead, but Marvin Ducksch equalised for the hosts.

The dramatic match took a different turn when Nigerian-born Felix Agu accidentally turned the ball into his own net, restoring Liverpool's lead in the 77th minute. Bremen, on the other hand, made a late comeback thanks to fellow Nigerian-born Justin Njimah, who assisted Romano Schmidt's equaliser in the last minute.

The result saw Leverkusen drop to third place in the Bundesliga table, having played more games than second-placed Bayern Munich, with RB Leipzig leading the way.

In another Bundesliga match, Frank Onyeka impressed in 82 minutes for Augsburg, who defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-1. The Nigerian midfielder's strong performance helped to repel Dortmund's creative threats before being replaced by Arne Maier.


The victory, secured by Alexis Claude-Maurice's double after Donyell Malen's opener, propelled Augsburg to 11th place, dealing a significant blow to Dortmund's title hopes, which were eighth in the standings and seven points behind leaders RB Leipzig.

SPAIN

Kelechi Iheanacho, a Super Eagles striker, was an unused substitute in Sevilla's 2-0 victory over Espanyol on Friday, his third game on the bench since joining from Leicester City in the summer.

The 28-year-old, who has only made five appearances for his new club, last appeared in a 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao on September 29. His Nigeria teammate Chidera Ejuke will be out for three months due to a hamstring injury sustained against Barcelona.

Sevilla won thanks to Dodi Lukebakio's first-half brace, with the Belgian forward scoring in the 20th minute and adding another just before halftime.

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