By Nurudeen Obalola
Super Eagles stars Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey produced solid performances for Fulham as they shocked Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge in their English Premier League clash on Boxing Day.
In another Premier League battle at the City Ground, Nigeria international Ola Aina was impressive in Nottingham Forest’s 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
All three Super Eagles players were in the starting line-ups as their clubs secured the huge wins.
Bassey was solid at the back while Iwobi was brilliant on the left win as visiting Fulham came from behind to stun Chelsea.
Cole Palmer gave the hosts the lead in the 16th minute but Fulham netted two late goals to end the Blues’ 10-match unbeaten run.
Iwobi was involved in the 82nd minute equaliser when he won the ball high up before it ended up with substitute Harry Wilson heading home from close range.
Another substitute, Rodrigo Muniz, completed the turnaround with a controlled finish in added time after a counter-attack, as Fulham rose to eighth in the table and Chelsea stay in second place, four points behind Liverpool who have two games in hand.
At the City Ground, Aina played all 90 minutes as Anthony Elanga scored the only goal in the first half to take Forest to third in the table, one point behind Chelsea, while Spurs are 11th.
Forest have now won four Premier League games in a row, with Aina starting and starring in all of them.
In other Boxing Day clashes in the Premier League, Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu was handed a rare start at Southampton as they lost 1-0 to West Ham, while Bournemouth and Crystal Palace played 0-0 at the Vitality Stadium, and Newcastle United thrashed Aston Villa 3-0.
RESULTS
Chelsea 1-2 Fulham
Nottingham Forest 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Southampton 0-1 West Ham
Newcastle United 3-0 Aston Villa
Bournemouth 0-0 Crystal Palace
