By Korede James
Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey’s strike proved to be the match winner as Fulham defeated top-four hopefuls Nottingham Forest 2-1 at Craven Cottage in the English Premier League on Saturday.
It was Bassey’s first league goal in his 24th appearance for the Cottagers this campaign.
The last time he scored was in the 2-1 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford last February.
Also in action in the encounter were Nigeria internationals Alex Iwobi and Ola Aina who both made their 25th league appearances.
Bassey scored in the 62nd minute to put Fulham 2-1 ahead after Chris Wood had drawn Forest level.
Former Arsenal player Emile Smith Rowe opened the scoring for Fulham 15 minutes into the tie.
With the result, Fulham climbed up to eighth in the table while Forest are still third.
At the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City bounced back from their UEFA Champions League defeat to Real Madrid in midweek, thrashing Newcastle United 4-0.
Egypt forward Omar Marmoush opened his City account in grand style, scoring a first-half hat-trick to take Pep Guardiola’s inconsistent side past Chelsea into fourth spot as Newcastle United are still seventh.
At St Mary’s, Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu provided his first assist in the English elite division as bottom side Southampton fell to a 3-1 defeat to Bournemouth.
Onuachu, who has netted twice in 15 league matches, set up Ghana forward Kamaldeen Sulemana to make it 2-1 in the 72nd minute.
While Onuachu played for 90 minutes, his fellow Nigeria international Joe Aribo was replaced with five minutes left to play in what was his 24th league appearance.
In other Premier League results on Saturday Brentford won 1-0 at West Ham United 1-0 and 10-man Ipswich Town held Aston Villa to a 1-1 draw at Villa Park.
RESULTS
Aston Villa 1-1 Ipswich Town
Fulham 2-1 Nottingham Forest
Manchester City 4-0 Newcastle United
Southampton 1-3 Bournemouth
West Ham 0-1 Brentford
Leicester 0-2 Arsenal
