By Nurudeen Obalola
Leicester City, with Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi once again running their midfield, secured their first victory of the season in the English Premier League on Saturday, beating Bournemouth 1-0 at the King Power Stadium.
Also on Saturday, both Manchester City and Arsenal had to come from behind to earn home victories, the former beating Fulham 3-2 and the latter eventually easing past Southampton 3-1.
Ndidi did not add to his impressive four assists but he was brilliant again in the middle of the park as Facundo Buonanotte scored the only goal of the match in the 16th minute to get the Foxes off the mark in their seventh attempt.
At the Etihad Stadium, Super Eagles pair Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi started for Fulham as the visitors stunned Manchester City with Alex Pereira’s 26th minute opener.
The champions responded quickly, Mateo Kovacic pulling them level six minutes later and giving them the lead two minutes after the interval.
Substitute Jeremy Doku put daylight between City and Fulham with a spectacular long-range strike eight minutes from time, but the stubborn visitors ensured a nervy finish with Rodrigo Muniz’s 88th minute strike.
Arsenal also needed a firm response at the Emirates Stadium after second from bottom side Southampton took a shock lead through Cameron Archer 10 minutes into the second half.
Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka struck for the Gunners to earn them a landmark 400th Premier League victory, more than any other club except Manchester United.
The win also took Mikel Arteta’s side to third in the table, level on points with second-placed City and one adrift of leaders Liverpool.
Super Eagles midfielder Joe Aribo played the full game for Southampton, while Paul Onuachu was thrown in 16 minutes from time for his first appearance of the campaign.
It was a feast of goals in the other Premier League afternoon kick-offs, with Brentford beating Wolves 5-3 at the Gtech Community Stadium and West Ham turning over Ipswich 4-1 at the London Stadium.
Results
Manchester City 3-2 Fulham
Arsenal 3-1 Southampton
Leicester City 1-0 Bournemouth
Brentford 5-3 Wolves
West Ham 4-1 Ipswich
