Fulham Vs Man City: Iwobi hunts first win as Craven Cottage awaits Chukwu-Magic’s first EPL goal
Tuesday night’s Premier League clash at Craven Cottage presents a pivotal moment for Nigerian midfielder Alex Iwobi, who is still chasing his first career victory against Manchester City.
Despite facing the reigning champions 17 times across all competitions, Iwobi has yet to taste success, suffering 14 defeats and settling for three draws.
In the Premier League alone, he has played 15 matches against Pep Guardiola’s side without a single win.
Iwobi’s winless streak spans three clubs. During his time at Arsenal, he lost three of five encounters and drew the remaining two. His stint at Everton yielded six defeats in seven meetings, with just one draw. Since joining Fulham, the 29-year-old has faced City three times in the league and lost all three.
Manchester City remains one of only two Premier League clubs he has played at least three times without a win with the other being Aston Villa, against whom he has 13 winless appearances.
He also failed to secure victories in two outings against Ipswich Town and once against Middlesbrough. To compound matters, Iwobi has never registered a goal or assist against the Manchester giants, making Tuesday’s fixture a chance to finally rewrite the narrative.
While Iwobi seeks redemption, fellow Nigerian Samuel Chukwueze continues to rise as Fulham’s standout performer since arriving on loan from AC Milan last summer.
The forward has already made his mark in the Premier League, notching three assists in six appearances. His dynamic displays have earned him both Fulham’s Player of the Match and the Premier League’s Player of the Match awards.
Chukwueze currently leads both Fulham and Nigerian players in assists this season, edging Iwobi’s tally of two. Manager Marco Silva is expected to reward his form with a second consecutive start, especially after his influential role in Fulham’s 2-1 win over Tottenham last weekend.
Despite his creative spark, Chukwueze is still searching for his first Premier League goal. He has come agonizingly close, hitting the woodwork twice, more than any other Nigerian player this season.
His attacking presence is undeniable, with a league-high 23 touches inside the opposition box, underlining his growing threat in front of goal.
Meanwhile, Calvin Bassey is set to continue his consistent run in Fulham’s backline, aiming for his 13th start in 14 Premier League appearances this campaign.
Like Iwobi, Bassey has yet to record a win against Manchester City, though his record stems from just two previous meetings.
