Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, Everton’s Alex Iwobi and Watford’s summer signing Emmanuel Dennis were the standout African stars to shine as the Premier League season got underway.
African Stars Shine in Opening Fixture
Salah Continues Red Hot Form
Egypt international Salah continued from where he finished last season for Jurgen Klopp’s men in the opening game against newly-promoted side Norwich City, helping his side to clinch a 3-0 victory.
The forward was one of the standout performers for the Reds as they finished third in the English top-flight last campaign, scoring 22 league goals in as many appearances.
The 29-year-old set up Diogo Jota for the Red’s opening goal in the 26th minute of the encounter at Carrow Road to ensure his side started their campaign on a flying note.
Salah was again involved as Liverpool doubled their lead in the 65th minute, when he found Roberto Firmino with a square pass and the Brazilian swiftly fired a right-footed shot into the back of the net.
He capped his impressive performance with a goal after benefitting from Ben Gibson’s inability to clear the ball, hitting his effort into the back of the net effortlessly.
Salah’s African teammates Naby Keita and Sadio Mane were also involved in the game while Ibrahima Konate was an unused substitute.
Emmanuel Dennis Makes Premier League Statement on Debut
In another game, Nigeria international Emmanuel Dennis got off the mark for Watford in his Premier League debut appearance for the club, inspiring the newly-promoted side to a 3-2 victory over Aston Villa.
The attacker teamed up with the Hornets this summer from Club Brugge, where he spent four years and wasted no time to announce himself in the English top-flight.
Dennis opened the scoring in the 10th minute, firing a shot from close range and then set up Senegal international Ismaila Sarr to double the lead thus handling Watford a significant lead into the second half.
Marvelous Nakamba‘s Aston Villa made effort to come back into the game after Juan Hernandez bagged the third goal for Watford.
Despite strikes from John McGinn and Danny Ings, the Hornets held on to their lead to secure three points.
Dennis and Watford will aim to build on the impressive start when they take on Brighton & Hove Albion in their next Premier League game on August 21.
Elsewhere, Nigeria midfielder Alex Iwobi provided an assist in Everton’s 3-1 victory over Southampton at Goodison Park.
The Super Eagles star came off the bench to make an impact for the Toffees after replacing Andros Townsend in the 70th minute.
Iwobi set up Abdoulaye Doucoure for Everton’s second goal, six minutes after his introduction into the encounter. The versatile midfielder will hope to have a chance to make a more meaningful contribution by starting Everton’s next Premier League game against Leeds United.
Also, Ivory Coast international Wilfried Zaha played for the duration of the game as Crystal Palace lost 3-0 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Nigeria’s Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi were also on parade for Leicester City in their 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.
The African stars will be expected to make more key contributions for their respective clubs in the next Premier League outings.
Main Image credit
Embed from Getty Images