<
>

Alex Iwobi, Stephen Odey headline Nigerian performers in Europe

Arsenal's Alex Iwobi battles Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images

In this round-up, KweséESPN reviews the performances of Nigerian players across European leagues over the weekend,

Alex Iwobi played a decisive role in Arsenal's 1-1 home draw against Liverpool in the big match of the Premier League gameweek. The Gunners' number 17 was introduced in the 68th minute and provided an assist - his second of the season - 11 minutes later for Alexandre Lacazette to draw the hosts level.

Wilfred Ndidi played from start to finish, his 11th successive outing of the Premier League season, as Leicester City earned an emotional 1-0 away victory at Cardiff City. The win came only a week after club owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha was killed in a helicopter crash outside the King Power Stadium.

Isaac Success made Watford's line-up for a third straight game, but it ended in defeat as the Hornets were beaten 1-0 by hosts Newcastle United. The forward featured for 85 minutes of the encounter.

In the Championship, Oghenekaro Etebo played his first league game in a month for Stoke City, who were held to a goalless draw by Middlesbrough. The fit-again midfielder was withdrawn nine minutes from time on his return to the Potters line-up.

Semi Ajayi was at the heart of Rotherham United's defence for the entire duration as they secured a comeback 2-1 home victory against Swansea City, while Ebere Eze was on for 76 minutes and was cautioned in Queens Park Rangers' 1-0 defeat at Blackburn Rovers.

William Troost-Ekong was cautioned in the 64th minute - his second booking of the season - of Udinese's 1-0 home defeat to AC Milan. The central defender made his 11th successive start of the campaign, having failed to only finish one game in his previous Serie A appearances.

Ola Aina provided his first assist of the season in his 10th Serie A outing for Torino, who were big road winners, triumphing 4-1 at Sampdoria on Sunday. The wing-back started and finished the game for only the fourth time this term.

Joel Obi was on for 71 minutes as bottom-club Chievo Verona suffered a 2-0 home defeat against Sassuolo, their seventh successive loss in Serie A.

Kenneth Omeruo played from start to finish as Leganes earned a morale-boosting 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid.

Samuel Chukwueze celebrated his maiden international call-up with an impressive La Liga debut for Villarreal in a 1-1 home draw against Levante. The 19-year-old winger played the entire match and recorded a 78.6 percent pass success rate.

In the Segunda Division, Super Eagles goalkeeper Francis Uzoho endured a terrible outing in his third straight appearance for Elche, conceding four goals in a 12-minute spell as they were humiliated 5-1 at Cadiz.

Anthony Ujah played the final 16 minutes of Mainz's 2-1 home win against Werder Bremen.

Left-back Jamilu Collins lasted 79 minutes of Paderborn's 2-0 loss at Duisburg.

In Belgium, Victor Osimhen failed to score for a second successive game, as Sporting Charleroi were beaten 2-1 at Oostende.

Anderson Esiti played a leading role for Gent in their 3-1 home win against Kortrijk, who had Imoh Ezekiel on for the final 13 minutes, while Uche Agbo featured for 62 minutes in his fifth league appearance for Standard Liege, who were beaten 2-0 at home by Royal Antwerp.

Mikel Agu made his fourth league appearance of the season for Vitoria de Setubal in their 2-1 defeat at Braga.

In Scotland, Efe Ambrose played his 11th straight league game from start to finish as Hibernian lost 1-0 at home to St Johnstone.

Paul Onuachu scored in Midtjylland's 2-2 draw against Esbjerg FB. The big striker found the back of the net in the 66th-minute - his eighth strike of the season - but was also cautioned six minutes after the restart. Compatriot and teammate Rilwan Hassan was subbed out in the 61st minute.

In Switzerland, red-hot forward Stephen Odey found the back of the net for FC Zurich in a 5-2 win at Luzern. The 27th-minute goal was Odey's third in four matches, while Blessing Eleke had drawn Luzern level five minutes before Odey's strike.

In Turkey, Henry Onyekuru was on for 86 minutes in an Istanbul derby, as Galatasaray were held to a 2-2 draw by Fenerbahce.

Emem Eduok was cautioned in Kasimpasa's 2-1 home defeat against Antalyaspor, while the impressive Ogenyi Onazi featured for 90 minutes in Trabzonspor's 1-1 draw against Bursaspor.

In Norway, both Afeez Aremu and Adeleke Akinyemi were on the end of a heavy defeat suffered by Start, as they were trounced 4-1 at Sandefjord despite both players featuring for 90 minutes.

In Russia, Brian Idowu was a half-time substitute and received a 76th-minute yellow card in Lokomotiv Moscow's 3-1 victory against Arsenal Tula.

In Czech Republic, Ubong Ekpai earned a rare start and featured for 68 minutes of Viktoria Plzen's 1-0 victory against Banik Ostrava.