SUPER Eagles pair Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi were impressive for Fulham today, inspiring the side to a come-from-behind 2-1 English Premier League victory over Arsenal.
The two are both in Nigeria’s squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, and they warmed up for the tournament with fine displays against their much more accomplished opponents.
Arsenal, who were level on points at the top of the table with Liverpool just days ago, took the lead at Craven Cottage today before Fulham responded with two goals and threatened to score even more.
Bukayo Saka steered home the rebound from Gabriel Martinelli’s to give Arsenal an early advantage in the fifth minute.
Fulham were level in the 29th minute as Raul Jimenez finished off a fine team move, and the hosts got their noses in front when Bobby Decordova-Reid pounced on a loose ball to tap home from point-blank range following a corner 14 minutes into the second half.
With the result, Arsenal, who were looking to end 2023 in top spot, slipped to fourth place, two points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand.
Fulham, who snapped a three-game losing streak and are 13th, owe much of their three points today to the Super Eagles stars, especially Bassey.
The Nigeria centre-back put up a man-of-the-match performance, winning five duels, completing 100 percent of his take-ons, winning back possession five times and making five clearances.
Bassey and Iwobi are expected to join the Super Eagles on Tuesday ahead of their training camp in Abu Dhabi for the AFCON scheduled for January 13 to February 11 in Cote d’Ivoire.
In today’s other Premier League fixture, Tottenham Hotspur moved to within a point of Arsenal following a 3-1 victory over Bournemouth at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Senegal midfielder Pape Sarr scored the opening goal for Spurs before limping off with an injury, with Heung-min Son and Richarlison adding the other goals for Ange Postecoglou’s side.
