EPL wrap : Dennis scores; Iwobi starts; Olise faces ex-club Chelsea; Onyeka, Ekong, Carney, Alese benched:: All Nigeria Soccer

Allnigeriasoccer.com‘s round-up of Nigeria-eligible players that were in action for their respective clubs in the English Premier League on Saturday, February 19, 2021.

In the early kickoff, West Ham United were forced to settle for a point in a 1-1 draw against Newcastle United at the London Stadium with both goals scored in the first half.

England youth international of Nigerian descent Ajibola Alese made a Premier League matchday squad for the seventh time in 2021-2022 without being utilized off the bench.

Craig Dawson headed in the opener in the 32nd minute and Joe Willock equalised for the Magpies in the 45th minute.

At Villa Park, Emmanuel Dennis opened his goalscoring account in 2022 to help Watford secure all three points in a 1-0 win over Aston Villa.

Four other players of Nigerian descent were named in the matchday squads with Tim Iroegbunam and Carney Chukwuemeka unused subs for the Lions and the same applied to William Troost-Ekong and Samuel  Kalu while Oghenekaro Etebo missed out entirely.

Dennis netted the important goal with 12 minutes remaining when he got in front of Young and headed home.  The striker was on the pitch for 86 minutes.

At Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace lost 1-0 to newly-crowned world champions Chelsea.

While former Chelsea schoolboy Michael Olise went the distance for the Eagles and was cautioned in the 68th minute for stopping a Chelsea counter attack, Eberechi Eze played the last five minutes.

A minute from time, Hakim swept in Marcos’ cross on the volley for the game-winning goal.

Arsenal, without goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, continued their Champions League push with a 2-1 victory over Brentford, for whom Super Eagles midfielder Frank Onyeka was a non-playing substitute.

In the second half, two Hale End Academy products Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe netted to give the Gunners a two-goal advantage before Christian Noergaard pulled one back in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

At St. Mary’s Stadium, Alex Iwobi started and was in action for 65 minutes as Everton failed to make it two wins on the bounce, losing 2-0 to an in-form Southampton side.

Stuart Armstrong gave the Saints the lead shortly after the break before Shane Long netted the clincher with six minutes left.

Nathan Tella is still recovering from a groin issue and was not named in Southampton’s matchday squad.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel