File: Nigerian winger, Zadok Yohanna
Zadok Yohanna became the fourth-youngest Nigerian to make a Premier League appearance after making his bow for Brighton & Hove Albion in their 4-0 win over Aston Villa on Sunday, while Akor Adams and Ademola Lookman endured less memorable outings in Italy and Spain respectively. ABIODUN ADEWALE reports
ENGLAND
Zadok Yohanna (Brighton)
Zadok Yohanna made his Premier League debut for Brighton & Hove Albion as the Seagulls cruised to a convincing 4-0 victory over Aston Villa at the Amex Stadium on Sunday.
Yohanna started the encounter on the bench before replacing Mats Wieffer 12 minutes from time.
Brighton took the lead after eight minutes when Maxim de Cuyper forced an own goal from Victor Lindelof before the Belgian doubled the advantage 10 minutes later with a simple finish.
Villa then crumbled as Jack Hinshelwood struck twice in two minutes to put Brighton 4-0 up, before the visitors were reduced to 10 men following a red card for Joao Gomes, who lasted only 40 minutes on his debut.
The 19-year-old joined Brighton from Swedish club AIK this summer for an initial £24.2m, which could rise to £26m with add-ons.
At 19 years and 55 days old, Yohanna became the fourth-youngest Nigerian to play in the Premier League, after Victor Anichebe (17 years, 364 days), Kelechi Iheanacho (17 years, 330 days) and Shola Ameobi (18 years, 333 days).
ITALY
Akor Adams (Venezia)
After impressing with two goals and an assist in their Coppa Italia game and competitive debut last week, Akor Adams fired blanks on Sunday as newly promoted Serie A side Venezia were beaten 2-0 at home by Lecce.
The Nigerian lasted the full 90 minutes as Venezia had two goals disallowed, one in each half.
Adams, who joined Venezia from Sevilla this summer, was unable to reproduce the form that saw him score twice and provide an assist on his debut.
SPAIN
Ademola Lookman (Atlético Madrid)
Ademola Lookman failed to score for the second consecutive game for Atletico Madrid as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Villarreal at the Metropolitano Stadium on Sunday.
Lookman started the encounter but was replaced by Jose Jimenez in the 79th minute.
Atletico took the lead shortly before the hour mark when Marc Pubill curled a superb effort into the top corner after exchanging passes with Giuliano Simeone.
Villarreal levelled from the penalty spot through Gerard Moreno after Morten Hjulmand fouled substitute Tajon Buchanan in the box.
The visitors then took the lead when Atletico defender Robin Le Normand was sent off for a foul on Georges Mikautadze inside the area. Mikautadze converted the resulting penalty to put Villarreal 2-1 ahead.
Atletico rescued a point late on through Simeone, who fired across goalkeeper Luiz Júnior after being played through by Álex Baena.
Lookman, who joined Atletico from Atalanta in January, is still searching for his first goal for the Spanish giants after two league appearances.
TURKEY
Onuachu, Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor)
Last season’s joint-top scorer in the Turkish Super Lig, Paul Onuachu, and Chibuike Nwaiwu both featured for Trabzonspor on Sunday as Mohamed Salah stole the show with a brace in their 2-1 win over Istanbul Basaksehir.
Salah scored twice on his first Turkish Super Lig start for Trabzonspor, taking his tally to two goals for the club.
The Egyptian opened the scoring after dispossessing goalkeeper Muhammed Sengezer before his effort took a deflection and went in off the post.
Eldor Shomurodov equalised from the penalty spot, but Salah restored Trabzonspor’s lead with a first-time finish from 10 yards.
Onuachu played until the 87th minute, while Nwaiwu was cautioned in the 83rd minute.
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