EPL wrap : Dennis scores; Iwobi assists; Etebo, Ekong debut; Shoretire, Anjorin not in squad & more

Published: August 14, 2021

A round-up of Nigerian players that were in action for their respective clubs in the English Premier League on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

In the early kickoff, Shola Shoretire was not involved as Manchester United thrashed Leeds United 5-1 at Old Trafford.

Portugal star Bruno Fernandes was instrumental in the win, netting a hat-trick, becoming the first United to do so on the opening day since Lou Macari in 1977.

United's other scorers were Mason Greenwood and Fred after Luke Ayling's spectacular strike pulled Leeds United level.

At Stamford Bridge, it was a tough day for Patrick Vieira in his first game in charge of Crystal Palace with his side losing 3-0.

The European champions got off the mark with a Marcos Alonso free-kick, Christian Pulisic five minutes before half-time added a second, before Trevoh Chalobah wrapped up the scoring in the 58th minute.

Faustino Anjorin wasn't involved for Chelsea and the same applies to Palace duo Eberechi Eze and summer signing Michael Olise who are both recovering from injury.

Super Eagles playmaker Alex Iwobi hopped off the bench in the 70th minute as Everton came from behind to record a 3-1 win over Southampton, ten minutes before Nathan Tella was introduced for the visitors.

Adam Armstrong opened the scoring for the Saints midway through the first half before Richarlison equalised in the 47th minute.

A goal from Abdoulaye Doucoure, assisted by Iwobi, turned the tie around in the 76th minute and Dominic Calvert-Lewin added a third in the 81st minute to settle the tie.

There were Premier League debuts for three Super Eagles players in the shape of Emmanuel Dennis, William Troost-Ekong and Oghenekaro Etebo as Watford recorded a 3-2 win over Aston Villa at Vicarage Road.

It took Dennis less than eleven minutes to bag his first in the top-flight, firing home from close range, before setting up the Hornets second goal netted by Ismaila Sarr just before half-time.

Juan Hernandez made things more difficult for Villa when he scored Watford's third goal in the 67th minute, before goals from John McGinn and Danny Ings reduced the deficit.

Dennis was replaced in the 66th minute while Etebo and Troost-Ekong went the full ninety.

At the King Power Stadium, Leicester City started off with a win, a 1-0 success against Wolverhampton Wanderers, thanks to Jamie Vardy's first half winner.

Wilfred Ndidi was in action for ninety minutes and international teammate Kelechi Iheanacho played the last eighteen minutes.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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