Iwobi Sets Unwanted Premier League Record After Fulham’s Third Straight Defeat

Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has set an unwanted personal Premier League record after Fulham suffered a 3-2 home defeat to Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

The defeat means Iwobi has now lost his opening three Premier League matches of a season for the first time in his career.

Fulham had previously suffered defeats against Chelsea and Sunderland before Palace completed a dramatic comeback to leave Álvaro Arbeloa’s side without a point after three league games.

Iwobi, who made his 260th Premier League start in his 323rd appearance in the competition, played for 83 minutes against Palace after completing the full 90 minutes in Fulham’s opening two defeats. He is yet to score or register an assist in the Premier League this season.

The 30-year-old, however, marked the game with a significant personal milestone, making his 100th Premier League appearance for Fulham and becoming only the fifth player in the competition’s history to reach 100 appearances for three different clubs, having previously achieved the feat with Arsenal and Everton.

Iwobi was not the only Nigerian to suffer an unwanted record. His Fulham teammate Calvin Bassey also started and played the full 90 minutes, meaning the defender has likewise lost his first three Premier League matches of the season.

Bassey has now made 97 Premier League appearances, including 90 starts, while Iwobi will hope Fulham can end their losing run when they return to action after the international break.