Arsenal and Liverpool played out a thrilling three all draw at Anfield while a late Robert Huth goal help Leicester sink Tottenham Hotspurs at White Hart Lane. The likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Everton could only manage draws while Watford loses only third away game of the season.
SoccerNet Nigeria looks at the different roles Nigerian players played in Week 21 of the Premier League.
Mikel Obi, Victor Anichebe: Chelsea 1-1 West Brom
Mikel, a standout performer in Chelsea’s fine win at Selhurst Park 10 days ago, returned to the starting 11 at home to West Brom but could do nothing to prevent the visitors from leaving Stamford Bridge with the share of the spoils.
A Gareth McAuley’s 73rd-minute own goal looked to have secured Guus Hiddink’s side back-to-back league victories for the first time this season but James McClean struck a late leveller from the edge of the box.
A fine Chelsea goal had got the scoring under way 20 minutes in, Cesar Azpilicueta finishing off a flowing move for his first Stamford Bridge strike. That was cancelled out by an enterprising West Brom side 13 minutes later, Craig Gardner the scorer.
Mikel Obi was on from start to finish. Fellow Nigerian, Victor Anichebe, was on the bench for West Brom throughout the duration of the match.
Alex Iwobi, Jordan Ibe: Liverpool 3-3 Arsenal
Four goals in the first 25 minutes set the perfect stage for the game of the midweek as Liverpool snatched a late draw from the Gunners.
The Nigerian forward watched the entire match from the bench as Giroud and Firmino took centre stage. Both forwards got a brace each and Giroud thought he had secured the win for the Londoners before Joe Allen smashed home an 89th minute equalizer.
Nigerian-born English star, Jordan Ibe was instrumental for the Reds as he played the entire 90 minutes and tormented the Arsenal defence all night.
Peter Odemwingie: Stoke 3-1 Norwich
The Nigerian striker started from the substitute’s bench as the Potters clipped the Canaries' wings to move to a season high seventh position on the league table.
Odemwingie was introduced in the 56th minute to the game when the scores was at one-all after Jonathan Howson had cancelled Jonathan Walters opener for the home side.
However, a Mato Joselu strike and a Ryan Benneth own goal condemned an in-form Norwich team to the defeat at the Britannia Stadium.
Dele Alli: Tottenham 0-1 Leicester City
The Nigerian-born England playmaker saw all 90 minutes of action on the field and helped Spurs boss the game but a late Robert Huth header from a corner wrecked the night for the hosts.
Just four days after contesting a full-blooded 2-2 draw in the FA Cup third-round on Sunday, the sides returned to White Hart Lane in a Premier League battle that could decide the Champions League places come May. And it was the visitors who came out on top.
Odion Ighalo: Southampton 2-0 Watford
There was no heroic goal-scoring show for the burly Nigerian striker as Watford went down without trace at the St. Mary’s Stadium.
A goal in each half gave the Saints all three points and condemned the visitors to only their third Premier League away defeat of the season.
Goals from Shane Long and Dusan Tasic gave Southampton a comfortable 2-0 win over Watford on Wednesday in the Premier League to ease the pressure on manager Ronald Koeman.
The striker with 13 goals this season played the entire match.
The striker with 13 goals this season played the entire match.
Premier League matches resume at the weekend.
source: soccer net