Iwobi stars, Lookman bags assist as Everton edge past Fulham

FOUR Nigerian players were involved on Sunday at Craven Cottage as Everton squeezed past Fulham 3-2 in their Premier League clash.

Home side Fulham paraded three Nigerians in Super Eagles defender Ola Aina, forward Ademola Lookman and centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo, while Alex Iwobi was in Everton’s blue.

Iwobi, who featured in both Africa Cup of Nations draws against Sierra Leone during the international break, was the most impressive of the four.

The former Arsenal star posted a solid display in the right wingback role for Everton and played a big part in his side’s second goal.

Iwobi’s defensive and attacking stats for the match were excellent: 88% pass accuracy, 15 final third passes, nine ball recoveries, five successful take-ons, two interceptions and two tackles won.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Abdoulaye Doucoure scored for Everton, with Bobby Reid and Ruben Loftus-Cheek on the scoresheet for Fulham.

England striker Calvert-Lewin got the visitors on their way very early, firing home in the first minute.

But Fulham were quickly back level through Reid in the 15th minute.

Calvert-Lewin shot Everton ahead again in the 29th minute after a mazy run by Iwobi down the right set up Lucas Digne who squared the ball for the Englishman to finish.

It was 3-1 ten minutes before half-time as Doucoure added to Fulham’s misery off another Digne assist.Fulham improved in the second half and had a big chance to cut the deficit in the 68th minute when they were awarded a penalty.

But Ivan Cavaleiro slipped as he was about to shoot and he missed.

Cavaleiro’s failure from the spot meant Fulham have missed five of their last eight Premier League penalties, including each of the last three, all taken by different players (Aleksandar Mitrovic, Lookman and Cavaleiro), according  to Opta statistics.

The hosts did make it 3-2 two minutes later after brilliant play from Lookman who beat his man before cutting the ball back for Loftus-Cheek to score from inside the Everton box via a deflection.

The win took Everton up to sixth in the table with 16 points from nine matches.

Fulham are 17th with four points also from nine games.