By Korede James
Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi scored two goals which but his side Fulham still lost 3-2 at West Ham United in the English Premier League on a busy Tuesday night.
In other Premier League matches on Tuesday night, none of leaders Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City were able to secure victory.
Iwobi also scored a brace the last time he was on target for Fulham on December 5 in a 3-1 home win against Brighton.
The Nigeria international has taken his tally in the league this season to seven goals in 21 games.
Also in action for Fulham was Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey who featured in his 20th league game this season as Marco Silva’s nine-match unbeaten in all competitions ended.
West Ham raced to a 2-0 lead in the first half thanks to goals from Carlos Soler (31st minute) and Tomas Soucek (33rd minute).
Iwobi pulled a goal back for Fulham on 51 minutes to make it 2-1 but West Ham restored their two-goal lead as Lucas Paqueta put them 3-1 up.
In the 78th minute, Iwobi got his second goal to bring the score to 3-2 but the Hammers held on to land former Chelsea boss Graham Potter his first win.
The result means Fulham are in ninth place on 30 points while West Ham are 12th on 26 points in the league table.
Liverpool once again dropped points in the league after coming from behind to force Nottingham Forest to a 1-1 draw at the City Ground.
Super Eagles defender Ola Aina was in action for 90 minutes while Taiwo Awoniyi was introduced in the 90th minute against his former club.
The draw means Forest are second on 41 points, six points behind Liverpool who have a game in hand.
Chris Wood broke the deadlock in the eighth minute but Diogo Jota drew the Reds level on 66 minutes.
At the Gtech Community Stadium, Manchester City surrendered a 2-0 lead with 12 minutes left to draw 2-2 against Brentford.
City looked to be heading for a fourth straight win after goals from Phil Foden on 66 and 78 minutes put them 2-0 ahead.
Yoane Wissa reduced the deficit with eight minutes left before Christian Norgaard equalised in the 92nd minute.
Following the disappointing draw City, who are on 35 points, are in sixth place in the table.
At Stamford Bridge, Reece James’ 95th minute strike earned Chelsea a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth.
Cole Palmer gave Chelsea the lead on 13 minutes but the Blues saw themselves behind after Justin Kluivert equalised from the penalty spot on 50 minutes and Antoine Semenyo completed the turnaround on 68 minutes before James’ late goal rescired a point for Enzo Maresca’s men.
Chelsea have now gone five straight games in the Premier League without a win and are in fourth place on 37 points.
In Spain, Umar Sadiq opened his goals account for Valencia as he netted in their 2-0 win at lower division club Ourense in the Copa del Rey round of 16 tie.
Sadiq scored in the 78th minute to put Valencia 2-0 ahead after an own goal in the 50th minute had given his side the lead.
In the Serie A, Ademola Lookman featured for Atalanta in their 1-1 home draw with Juventus.
Pierre Kalulu struck first for Milan in the 54th minute before Mateo Retegui equalised for Atalanta.
The draw with Juventus leaves Atalanta in third position on 43 points, four points behind table toppers Napoli.
Atalanta have now gone four consecutive games without a win and also the UEFA Europa League holders are now winless against Juventus in their last eight clashes with the Old Lady.
In the Bundesliga, champions Bayer Leverkusen pipped Mainz 1-0 to pile on the pressure on league leaders Bayern Munich.
Super Eagles forward Nathan Tella was brought into the game on 63 minutes for Patrik Schick while Victor Boniface is still out with a thigh injury.
Alex Grimaldi’s 48th minute strike secured the three points for Xabi Alonso’s side who are on 38 points, just a point behind Bayern.
RESULTS
Premier League:
West Ham 3-2 Fulham
Brentford 2-2 Man City
Forest 1-1 Liverpool
Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth
Bundesliga:
Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 Mainz
Serie A:
Atalanta 1-1 Juventus
Copa del Rey: Round of 16
Ourense 0-2 Valencia
