Alex Iwobi returned to Goodison Park on Saturday, scoring for Fulham in a 1-1 Premier League draw that denied his former club Everton a home victory. Iwobi, a former fan favorite at Everton, put Fulham ahead in the 61st minute, but his celebration was muted out of respect for the club and its supporters who remember his contribution fondly.
The Nigerian international, fresh off the news that Nigeria’s Super Eagles had been awarded a crucial three points in their CAF qualifier against Libya, capitalized on a powerful solo effort from Emile Smith Rowe to find the net.
After picking up the assist, Smith Rowe outmaneuvered Everton’s defense to provide Iwobi the perfect opening, allowing the midfielder to finish with precision.
Though his goal initially looked set to secure all three points for Fulham, Everton had other plans.
In the closing moments of stoppage time, Everton substitute Beto delivered a last-minute equalizer, turning home a well-placed cutback from Ashley Young.
The dramatic goal kept Everton’s unbeaten Premier League streak alive, extending it to five games under manager Sean Dyche.
Everton’s performance had been lackluster for much of the match, but Beto’s late heroics breathed new life into the squad and lifted the spirits of the home crowd.
The result shifted Fulham up to 10th in the league standings, putting them on 12 points from nine games and breaking a recent two-game losing streak.
Everton, now with nine points from the same number of games, remained in 15th place.
Meanwhile, Manchester City reclaimed the top spot in the Premier League standings, edging past Southampton 1-0 with an early goal from Erling Haaland.
Haaland’s powerful fifth-minute strike, set up by a well-timed cross from Matheus Nunes, secured City’s narrow victory.
Haaland outmuscled Southampton’s Jan Bednarek to convert the cross, sending it past Saints’ keeper Aaron Ramsdale for his 11th goal of the league season.
Despite the early goal, City faced an unexpectedly stubborn Southampton side, whose determined defense kept the champions from extending their lead.
Haaland and his teammates squandered several opportunities, leaving fans anxious as the game wound down.
However, City’s narrow win stretched their unbeaten Premier League record to 32 games, bringing them closer to a full year without a league defeat.
Their last loss came on 6 December last year against Aston Villa.
With these results, City solidified their grip on the top of the league, while Iwobi’s goal and Beto’s late strike provided fans at Goodison Park with a thrilling encounter.
The match highlighted Iwobi’s impact at Fulham and underscored Everton’s resilience, keeping both teams in the competitive mix as the season unfolds.
