History Book: Mikel Obi`s first Premier League goal
The History book will always remember it took Nigerian Midfielder Mikel Obi 185 appearances to score his first English Premier League goal.
Having joined Chelsea FC in 2006 after a protracted transfer tussle between the London Club and Manchester United FC, Mikel Obi was converted from attacking midfield to a more reserved defensive midfield role by then-Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.
The transition took away his dazzling skills and also goals, so getting the name MIKEL OBI on the goal-scorers sheet at Chelsea FC was as rare as hen`s teeth all through his 11 years at the London Club.
Despite his drought, Obi managed to get goals in the Premier League (1), FA Cup (3) and UEFA Champions League (2).
His first and only English Premier League goal is the subject of today`s review of the History Book.
CHELSEA VS FULHAM (September 21, 2013)
Mikel Obi was named in the Chelsea starting XI for the Premier League visit of Fulham on September 21, 2013. In his 185th Premier League appearance, the midfielder joined the mix for a corner kick on that memorable day.
Current Chelsea FC Interim manager Frank Lampard sent a cross into the Fulham box. John Terry then headed the ball across the face of the goal before a half-volley from a Blue shirt powered it in. WHO!!!! , an unexpected source coasting away in celebration of MIKEL OBI.
The look on the faces of teammates and fans alike was that of surprise and delight to see the number 12 end a seven-year-long wait for a Premier League goal.
The first and the last in his 11-year-long Premier League stay, of course, the Super Eagle had other priorities that restricted his involvement in the final third where goals are produced.
HIS POST-MATCH REACTION
That 84th-minute goal sealed a 2-0 win for Jose Mourinho tutored Chelsea FC to clip a four-game winless run.
In his post-match reaction to his first Premier League goal, Mikel Obi said ” I am happy for my goal, It has been a long time coming. I go back and score for the Super Eagles but I don`t get to score at Chelsea FC.
“This is something I have always wanted to do but I just have to get myself in those positions to score a goal.”
THE EFFECT OF HIS LACK OF GOALS
After retiring from active football, Mikel Obi admitted his contributions were underrated at Chelsea FC.
Now 36, the Chelsea legend said teammates like John Terry, Frank Lampard, and Didier Drogba enjoyed the reviews while others were content with doing their responsibilities to achieve success for the Club.
All three mentioned had significant goal-scoring contributions, and so he rarely gets the plaudits for a trophy-laden Chelsea career.
