Fulham head coach, Marco Silva, has heaped praise on Super Eagles midfielder, Alex Iwobi, after the Nigerian scored the winner against Leicester City yesterday, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 28-year-old started in the 2024/2025 EPL opener against Manchester United last week but wasn’t at his best as the Cottagers fell to a lone-goal defeat at Old Trafford, courtesy of a Joshua Zirkzee strike.
However, he was locked in the next game, in front of Fulham’s home fans, helping the team to a 2-1 win over Leicester City. Emile Smith Rowe broke the deadlock in the 18th minute before Wout Faes equalized for the Foxes in the 38th minute.
A brilliant pass from Antonee Robinson freed Iwobi on the left in the 70th minute, and the Nigerian put the ball below Mads Hermansen’s legs to seal three points for his side in front of the Craven Cottage fans.
After the game, Marco Silva commended his team for their improved effort against Steve Cooper’s side. The Portuguese manager also praised Iwobi for his move toward Fulham’s second goal.
“It was a really good game. We played well, and scored the opener. We were dominant in the second half and we deserve the three points. We should always keep calm and not rush. We saw in the last fifteen minutes what happens when we lose focus. We scored a very good second goal. A good pass from Antonee(Robinson) and a very good move from Alex Iwobi as well. We knew we could exploit the space where the opposition right-back played and he did well,” the Portuguese gaffer said in his post-match interview.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Paul Currie/Shutterstock (14355189jj)
Alex Iwobi of Fulham scores to make it 1-2 and celebrates
Manchester United v Fulham, Premier League, Football, Old Trafford, Manchester, UK – 24 Feb 2024
Additionally, former Manchester United midfielder, Owen Hargreaves, lauded Iwobi for his improved style of play since moving to Fulham from Everton.
“I think Leicester are going to struggle a little bit regarding their firepower. Iwobi, he’s such a different player at Fulham compared to the one at Everton. They were struggling. In this side, they are trying to play him, Emile Smith Rowe and Pereira, those are nice players,” the one-time UEFA Champions League winner said on punditry duties with the Premier League post-match shows.
Iwobi’s form should put him in a comfortable position to be called up to Nigeria’s squad for next month’s AFCON 2025 qualifying games.