Wilfried Zaha, Michael Olise – Crystal Palace 2021-22Getty

Too Good, Too Bad: The Best and Worst of Africans Abroad

  • Nigeria striker Emmanuel Dennis and Watford.Watford.

    Review of Africans in Europe

    It was a sad day for Emmanuel Dennis and his African teammates at Watford as they suffered relegation from the Premier League.

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  • Wilfried ZahaGetty

    Too Good: Wilfried Zaha

    The Ivorian scored the only goal in the game against Watford. The win for Crystal Palace confirmed the Hornets' relegation from the Premier League as the star registered another record in his career with the Eagles.

    Zaha is the first Crystal Palace player to score both home and away versus Watford in a league season since Zaha himself in 2011-12 in the Championship.

  • Emmanuel Dennis of Nigeria and Watford.Getty.

    Too Bad: Emmanuel Dennis and Co.

    The Nigerian star, alongside William Troost-Ekong, Oghenekaro Etebo, and Samuel Kalu, suffered relegation with Watford after going down 1-0 to Zaha’s Crystal Palace.

    Senegal’s Ismailia Sarr, Ivory Coast’s Hassane Kamara – who was red-carded following two yellow cards – and Edo Kayembe of DR Congo also played as their drop was confirmed.

    Watford have been relegated in consecutive top-flight campaigns for the first time since a run of three seasons ending in relegation (1987-88, 1999-00, and 2006-07).

  • Chelsea's Edouard Mendy 2021-22Getty

    Too Bad: Edouard Mendy

    After Chelsea had taken a 2-0 lead against Wolves, the Senegal goalkeeper conceded twice as the game ended in a 2-2 draw.

    Meanwhile, 13 of the last 15 goals Chelsea have conceded in the Premier League have come in the second half.

    The Blues failed to win a Premier League game in which they were 2-plus goals ahead for the first time since October 2020 vs Southampton (3-3), having won 24 consecutive such matches prior to Saturday.

  • Yves BissoumaGetty

    Too Good: Yves Bissouma

    The Malian played all through as Brighton outsmarted Eric Bailly’s Manchester United.

    Although the Ivorian defender did not play, Bissouma and his teammates were too good for the Red Devils as they claimed a huge 4-0 victory.

    It is Brighton’s biggest ever top-flight win in their history, in what was their 356th match at this level.

    Since Brighton joined the Premier League in 2017, against no other side have the Red Devils lost more away games in the competition than their three defeats to Brighton at the Amex during this time (also lost three at Arsenal and Liverpool).

  • Salah ManeGetty Images

    Too Bad: Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah

    The African forwards played in a game in which they shared the points with Tottenham Hotspur after a 1-1 draw.

    Consequently, the Reds ceded more ground to Manchester City – who defeated Newcastle United 5-0 - in the title race. Joel Matip was not involved at all as Naby Keita came on for Fabinho in the 68th minute.

    Salah made his 250th appearance for Liverpool this evening. Despite failing to score in this game, he has still scored more goals (155) than any other Premier League player in all competitions since making his debut for the Reds in August 2017.

  • Eddie Nketiah Bukayo Saka Cedric Arsenal 2021-22Getty

    Too Good: Eddie Nketiah

    The Ghana prospect scored a quick brace as Arsenal saw off Leeds United 2-1 at the Emirates.

    Nketiah put the Gunners 2-0 up after 10 minutes, becoming just the second Arsenal player to score twice in the opening 10 minutes of a Premier League game after Nwankwo Kanu against Sunderland in October 2002.

    He has also netted four goals in his last four Premier League games, just one fewer than he’d managed in his first 52 appearances in the competition.

  • Everton boss Frank Lampard and Alex Iwobi of Nigeria.Getty.

    Too Good: Alex Iwobi

    The Super Eagles forward claimed an assist as Everton won 2-1 against Leicester City and moved away from the bottom three, preserving the club’s unbroken 68-year Premier League residence.

    Iwobi’s assist for Vitalii Mykolenko’s opener gave the Toffees an early lead in the sixth minute.

    The result means Everton have won an away top-flight match for the first time in 15 games since besting Brighton back in August in what was their third game of the season. The Toffees have ended their run of seven consecutive away defeats.

  • Patson DakaGetty

    Too Bad: Patson Daka

    The Zambian scored, but his goal could not help Leicester City from a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Everton at the King Power Stadium.

    His 11th-minute equalizer means all of his Premier League goals for the Foxes have come at the King Power Stadium, four of which have come in starts. Only Jamie Vardy (6) has netted more often at home for the club in the top-flight in 2021-22.