PREMIER LEAGUE
Man City and Arsenal Maintain Perfect Start to New Season
By Femi Solaja, with agency report
Alex Iwobi, the Super Eagles midfielder, stood out among three Nigerian players in action at Craven Cottage yesterday. He sealed his brilliant performance with the winning goal, securing a 2-1 victory for Fulham against promoted team Leicester City.
In Fulham’s second consecutive starting lineup, Iwobi played alongside his international teammate, Calvin Bassey, while Wilfred Ndidi was on the losing side for Leicester.
Fulham took the lead in the 18th minute when Adama Traore delivered an excellent through ball to midfielder Smith Rowe, who made an impressive debut at Craven Cottage with a clinical left-footed shot.
Leicester, however, equalized 20 minutes later with centre-back Wout Faes heading home from a Facundo Buonanotte corner.
In the 70th minute, Iwobi restored Fulham’s advantage with a beautiful control of a long ball from left-back Antonee Robinson. He then finished with a left-foot shot, securing all three points for the hosts.
In other matches, Premier League defending champions Manchester City secured a 4-1 home victory against Ipswich Town.
Erling Haaland, with a hat-trick, highlighted the challenge Ipswich faces in the Premier League with this comfortable victory at the Etihad Stadium. Ipswich scored first through Sammie Szmodics in the seventh minute, but Manchester City quickly responded with three goals in four minutes.
Haaland equalized with a well-taken penalty, which was awarded after a review by the video assistant referee. Kevin de Bruyne then took advantage of hesitation by Ipswich goalkeeper Arijanet Muric to drive home the second goal. Haaland rounded off the scoring with his second goal, making it 3-1 after just 16 minutes.
In the final match of the day, Arsenal emerged with a statement 2-0 victory against Aston Villa at Villa Park.
In a dramatic encounter, the goalkeepers played a significant role. Arsenals David Raya produced a spectacular second-half save from Ollie Watkins, while Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez blundered, allowing Thomas Partey’s shot to slip through his hands and give the Gunners a two-goal lead.
Arsenal survived Villa’s strong performance, with Watkins missing a golden opportunity in the first half to put the hosts ahead. However, Raya made an incredible one-handed stop to deny the striker in the second half. Arsenal capitalized and opened the scoring in the 67th minute through substitute Leandro Trossard. Partey added a second goal ten minutes later, sealing the triumph for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Here are the results of other Premier League matches:
Brighton 2-1 Manchester United
Crystal Palace 0-2 West Ham
Fulham 2-1 Leicester
Manchester City 4-1 Ipswich
Southampton 0-1 Nottingham Forest
Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 Everton
Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal