THERE were contrasting fortunes for Nigeria internationals Frank Onyeka and Alex Iwobi on Sunday as Brentford won while Everton lost in the Premier League.
Both players are expected to depart from England for Nigeria on Sunday night to join up with the Super Eagles squad in Abuja, where they are preparing for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
The tournament starts in Cameroon next Sunday, with Nigeria’s first match against Egypt two days later.
Onyeka started in central midfield for Brentford and played for 80 minutes as the Bees came from behind to sting Aston Villa 2-1 at the Brentford Community Stadium.
Danny Ings gave the visitors a 16th minute lead but Democratic Republic of Congo forward Yoane Wissa equalised with three minutes left in the first half.
Mads Roerslev Rasmussen netted the winner in the 83rd minute as Brentford overtook Aston Villa into 12th place in the Premier League table.
Unlike Onyeka, Iwobi was an unused substitute at Goodison Park as Everton fell 3-2 to visiting Brighton.
Brighton’s Alexis Macallister and Everton’s Anthony Gordon each scored twice, with Dan Burns’ strike swinging the result in the visitors’ way.
The result compounded Everton manager Rafael Benitez’s woes, with the Toffees in 15th place while Brighton are eighth.
In the other afternoon kick-off in the Premier League on Sunday, Leeds United defeated Burnley 3-1 with goals from Jack Harrison, Stuart Dallas and Daniel James.
The win eased the pressure off Leeds United as they increased the gap between themselves in 16th and 18th-placed Burnley to eight points.
