Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi in action as Fulham fall to Manchester City
Nigeria’s Super Eagles stars Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi were in action for Fulham FC as they suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat against reigning Premier League champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, October 5, 2024.
Both Nigerian internationals put in solid performances for the Cottagers. Bassey, playing the full 90 minutes in defence, showcased his composure and strength at the back, while Iwobi, starting in midfield, made a positive impact before being substituted in the 77th minute for Reiss Nelson. Their displays are likely to secure their spots in the Super Eagles squad for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying double-header against Libya.
Manchester City, coming into the match with 16 consecutive Premier League wins against Fulham – the longest streak for any team against a single opponent in English Football League history – dominated possession from the start. However, they were caught off guard by Fulham’s Andreas Pereira, who scored the opener in the first half, capitalizing on a brilliant assist from Raul Jimenez. Pereira’s close-range finish stunned the Etihad crowd and put Fulham ahead.
Fulham could have doubled their lead moments later when Adama Traore missed a golden chance, but the miss prompted an immediate reaction from Manchester City. Just five minutes later, Mateo Kovacic equalized for the home side with a fierce strike, restoring parity.
Manchester City took control of the game in the second half, but Fulham fought hard to keep their hopes alive. Kovacic fired City in front early in the second half while Doku added a third before Rodrigo scored for the visitors late-on.
Despite the defeat, Bassey’s defensive contributions and Iwobi’s midfield presence gave Fulham moments of encouragement against the star-studded City squad.
With the 3-2 loss, Fulham’s wait to end their losing streak against Manchester City continues. However, for Bassey and Iwobi, the focus will now shift to international duty as they prepare to help Nigeria in their crucial AFCON qualifiers next week.
