Super Eagles EPL Round-Up: Aina nets first EPL goal since May 2023, Aribo earns first win in two years

Defender, Ola Aina scored a screamer to help Nottingham Forest to a 3-0 defeat of 10-man West Ham at the City Ground on Saturday and third on the Premier League table.

It was the Nigerian’s first Premier League goal since he scored in the 2-0 defeat of Aston Villa at the City Ground in May 2023 and his fourth overall in 66 appearances in the competition.

Interestingly, the 28-year-old who made his 10th start in 10 Premier League games this term has not lost in each of the four games he has scored, starting with the 2-0 defeat of West Brom by Fulham in November 2020, then to the Cottagers’ 1-1 draw at Burnley in February 2021.

He scored his third goal in the 2-0 defeat of Aston Villa last year and now in the 3-0 annihilation of West Ham on Saturday.

Aina’s Nigerian compatriot at the club, Taiwo Awoniyi is still waiting for his first goal after 10 games, something that was an aberration in his first two seasons at the club.

In his first season, Awoniyi netted twice in his first two seasons and was on target thrice and bagged three assists in his opening 10 games of the 2023/24 season.

The Nigerian was subbed on for Chris Wood in the 3-0 defeat of West Ham, a side he has netted thrice against in the past with his last goal in the competition coming against the Hammers in a 2-0 win at the City Ground.

At the Saint Mary’s stadium, Joe Aribo earned his first win in the Premier League after his side, Southampton defeated Everton 1-0.

The 28-year-old was subbed on for Adam Lallana on 45 minutes to help the Saints earn their first win in 22 games and himself on his 20th game in the competition since October 19, 2022, when he featured for 64 minutes in Southampton’s 1-0 defeat of Bournemouth at the Vitaly stadium.

It was Aribo’s fourth win in 30 appearances in the competition since he made his debut in August 2022.

For Paul Onuachu, his compatriot at the club, it was second Premier League win in 15 appearances and first since February 2023 when he featured for 59 minutes in Southampton’s 1-0 win away at Chelsea.

At Portman Road, Wilfred Ndidi was on for 71 minutes in his 10 starts in 10 Premier League games this season as the Foxes scored a late equalizer via substitute, Jordan Ayew to snatch a point against their host, Ipswich.

It was Ndidi’s first ever appearance against the Tractor Boys in the Premier League.