Iheanacho, Osimhen Can’t Stop Scoring
- As Leicester, Napoli boost Champions League spot in Palace, Torino victories
Nigerian internationals, Kelechi Iheanacho and Victor Osimhen extended their incredible goal scoring forms as Leicester City and Napoli strengthen their claims for spots in Europe’s elite competition, Champions League next season.
In the Premiership, Iheanacho sustained his impressive performance, netting the winner in the Foxes 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace at the King Power Stadium. Currently the Premier League Player of the Month, the Super Eagles forward has now taken his tally in the domestic league to 10 goals this season.
Palace went into the first half break with a 1-0 lead courtesy Wilfried Zaha, who converted a sublime pass from England U-21 midfielder Eberechi Eze.
However, the home side fought back gamely in the second half when Iheanacho’s pass found Timothy Castagne and he coolly finished past Vicente Guaita in goal for the visitors. The Nigeria star completed his Man-of-the-Match performance with the game winner late in the second half.
Interestingly, Kelechi Iheanacho had zero Premier League goals on February 1, 2021 but a remarkable change in form and more game-time has seen him score 10 premier league goals and 17 goals in all competitions this season, including the goal that got Leicester City it the FA Cup final for the first time in 52 years.
Leicester are sitting third in the Premier League with 62 points while Crystal Palace are placed 13th with 38 points with five more games to the end of the season.
In Italy, Osimhen’s first-half effort ensured Napoli’s target of featuring in next season’s Champions League got a massive boost with their Monday’s 2-0 away victory over 10-man Torino.
First-half goals from Tiemoue Bakayoko and Osimhen were enough for the Gennaro Gattuso’s men to pick up an important away triumph against the Maroons in the Serie A.
Both teams arrived at Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino chasing contrasting ambitions. While the Parthenopeans are pursuing their European dreams, Davide Nicola’s Maroons needed victory to help their battle against relegation.
Though the keenly contested encounter started on a fiery note after referee Paolo Valeri sounded his whistle, it was Napoli who drew first blood through Bakayoko.
Left unmarked by the hosts’ defenders, the France international, who is on loan from Chelsea, unleashed a right-footed beauty past goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu in the 11th minute.
Osimhen doubled the advantage two minutes later in a spectacular fashion before the celebration died down.
After winning the ball from Cameroonian defender Nicolas Nkoulou in Napoli’s half, the Super Eagles forward sped through Torino’s backline, beating Gleison Bremer before sending a low shot past Keeper Sirigu.
It is the first time since February 2017 – against Bologna – that Napoli scored two goals in the opening 15 minutes of play in a Serie A away match.
Although the goals were reality check for Nicola’s men, they were unable to raise their game and match the well-organised opponents that left them going into the break with a two-goal deficit.
The second half saw both sides failing to hit the net with several wasted scoring opportunities. Unfortunately for Torino, their drive for at least a point against Napoli further suffered a huge setback with Rolando Mandragora getting the marching orders for a second bookable offence in the 86th minute.
While Kalidou Koulibaly was on parade for 90 minutes for the visitors, Osimhen, now with seven Serie A goals in the 2020-21 campaign, was substituted for Andrea Petagna with 10 minutes left to play.
Thanks to the result, Napoli have climbed to third on the Serie A table having amassed 66 points from 33 matches. – With Goal.com reports
