Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has moved into second position on the list of Nigerians with the most Premier League appearances after featuring in Fulham’s 3-2 defeat to West Ham United at the London Stadium on Tuesday night, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The 28-year-old has now made 274 appearances in the English top flight, surpassing former Arsenal, Portsmouth and West Bromwich Albion striker Nwankwo Kanu.
Former Newcastle United forward Shola Ameobi leads the chart with 293 appearances.
Despite ending up on the losing side, Iwobi scored both of Fulham’s goals, taking his Premier League tally for the Cottagers to 12 goals in 51 appearances.
The Nigeria international has now scored more league goals for Fulham than he managed at either Arsenal (11 goals in 100 games) or Everton (six goals in 123 matches).
Speaking after the match, Fulham manager Marco Silva bemoaned his team’s defensive errors that cost them the game.
“We are penalised by our own mistakes, and it is clear it is our fault that we lost the game. We created enough chances to have been in front, and West Ham weren’t around our box at all,” Silva told Sky Sports.
Iwobi’s seven league goals this season represent his best-ever return in a Premier League campaign, while his overall tally of 29 goals sees him move to seventh on the all-time list of Nigerian goalscorers in the competition’s history, ahead of Victor Anichebe (27) and Obafemi Martins (28).
The midfielder made his Premier League debut for Arsenal in October 2015 and has since established himself as one of the most consistent Nigerian players in the English top flight.
His recent form has seen him emerge as Fulham’s most influential attacking force this season, leading the team’s goal contributions chart.
Fulham will look to bounce back from this defeat when they face Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.