EPL Wrap: Ndidi Stars; Billing Shows Class; Iheanacho, Lookman, Solanke Missing; Balogun Starts; Iwobi Bench

Published: December 26, 2018

A round-up of Nigerian players that were in action for their respective clubs in the English Premier League on Wednesday, December 26.

Nigerian players with dual nationalities and have played competitively for the senior national teams of other countries have been omitted.

At Turf Moor, Everton, who were without the unfit Ademola Lookman recorded a comprehensive 5-1 road win against Burnley thanks to goals from Yerry Mina, Lucas Digne, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Lucas Digne and Richarlison.

The Clarets had clawed one back eight minutes before the break through Ben Gibson who poked the ball home from close range.

Elsewhere, Manchester City suffered their second successive defeat, losing 2-1 to Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.

While Wilfred Ndidi went the distance for the Foxes, there were no Kelechi Iheanacho in the match day squad for the first time this season.

Bernardo Silva slotted past Schmeichel to put the champions 1-0 up on 14 minutes, Marc Albrighton leveled the tie five minutes later and Leicester City got their heads in front thanks to a magnificent strike from Ricardo Pereira on 81 minutes.

At Anfield, Dejan Lovren, Mohamed Salah, Xherdan Shaqiri and Fabinho registered their names on the score-sheet as Liverpool thrashed Newcastle United 4-0 to move six points clear at the top.

England U21 star Dominic Solanke was not in the Reds squad for the 19th consecutive game in the Premier League.

It was a five-star showing for Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley. Christian Eriksen, Son Heung-min (2), Lucas Moura and Harry Kane the scorers for Pochettino's side in their 5-0 demolition of Bournemouth.

The Cherries number ten Jordon Ibe watched proceedings from the bench, teammate Nnamdi Ofoborh was a not in the 18.

At Old Trafford, it is back-to-back wins for Manchester United who saw off Huddersfield Town 3-1.

Denmark U21 international Philip Billing had an opportunity to cancel out Matic's opener just before the break but his shot was fired into the side netting. The defensive midfielder played the full game.

Paul Pogba scored two goals for United in the second half, his first brace for some time, before Mathias Jorgensen scored a late consolation goal for the away side.

In the evening kickoff, Alex Iwobi starts on the bench for Arsenal against Leon Balogun's Brighton & Hove at the The American Express Community Stadium. The Super Eagles defender is in the starting line-up.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : mancity.com