Fulham on Saturday secured a comeback win against relegated Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium with Super Eagles’ star, Alex Iwobi, providing one of the assists in the 2-1 win.
Fulham were staring at a fourth defeat in five games before substitute Emile Smith Rowe and Sessegnon scored to clinch a crucial win which will boost their push for a place in Europe.
The equaliser came with two former Arsenal players combining together to get the goal with Iwobi providing the assist for another former teammate, Emile Smith Rowe, to make it 1-1.
There was enough time for Marco Silva’s side to find the winner as Sessegnon met a cross from another substitute, Adama Traore, with a header past Ramsdale in second-half stoppage time.
The Cottagers climb to eighth, level on points with Brighton, who also left it late to beat West Ham on Saturday.
NPFL: Remo face Tornadoes, set to clinch title in Ikenne
*Late Tade Azeez to be honored at match venues
Charles Ogundiya
Nigeria Premier Football League leaders, Remo Stars, will on Sunday file out for one of their most important games of the current campaign when they fsce Niger Tornadoes in one of the MatchDay 35 games at the Remo Stadium, Ikenne, with history beckoning.
With Kano Pillars defeating the closest rival Rivers United 2-0 on Friday, Remo Stars will be crowned champions if they defeat Niger Tornadoes in their next match — a potential title-winning fixture on home soil.
With the title almost sorted, the battle for continental slot and survival will see Ikorodu City, currently in third position travel to Uyo to keep a date with Akwa United, who at the moment are fighting for survival as they are in the 18th position on the log.
It is going to be an oriental derby in Enugu as the record winner of the NPFL, Enyimba, will be up against defending the champion of the league Rangers while Kwara United will host already relegated Lobi Stars.
Other games for the weekend will see Sunshine Stars play at home against Katsina United as Abia Warriors host Shooting Stars with Insurance traveling to Jos as guest Plateau United while the last game of the weekend will see Bayelsa United play at home against El-Kanemi Warriors.
Meanwhile, to honour the late former President of the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA), Otunba Tade Azeez, players and officials of NPFL will observe a solemn 60 seconds silence before the start of remaining fixtures of Matchday 35 fixtures this weekend.
Azeez was reported to have died Friday afternoon following a brief undisclosed illness.
One of the fixtures of the Matchday 35 between Kano Pillars and Rivers Umited had been played before the sad news of his death broke on Friday. But, Davidson Owumi, the NPFL Chief Operating Officer, said, “We have directed that a minute silence be observed before the start of the remaining fixtures on Saturday and Sunday.”
A former vice chairman of the Lagos State Football Association (LAFA), the late Azeez was a foremost referee, earning a FIFA badge before retiring and later leading the Referee’s Association.
EPL: Newcastle, Chelsea, Wolves secure wins
Ipswich Town’s relegation from the Premier League was confirmed as Newcastle strengthened their push for Champions League football with victory at St James’ Park.
Ipswich needed to beat the Magpies and hope West Ham lost at Brighton to delay their inevitable fall into the Championship, but their hopes of getting the result they needed were dealt a major blow late in the first half when Ben Johnson was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Bruno Guimaraes had a close-range effort disallowed midway through the half for a foul on goalkeeper Alex Palmer, but Alexander Isak’s penalty – awarded following a pitchside review by referee Michael Salisbury – finally broke Ipswich’s crumbling resistance deep into added time.
It was one-way traffic in the second period and Dan Burn, one of Newcastle’s goalscorers in last month’s Carabao Cup final victory over Liverpool, doubled their advantage 10 minutes after the restart with a point-blank header from Kieran Trippier’s looping cross.
Second-half substitute Will Osula headed home his first Premier league goal with 10 minutes remaining as the Magpies marked the return of head coach Eddie Howe – who had missed the previous three games with pneumonia – with a resounding win which lifts them up to third in the table.
Chelsea edged back into the Champions League places with a one-goal victory over Everton at Stamford Bridge.
The win moves the Blues up to fourth in the Premier League, level on points with Nottingham Forest and a point ahead of Newcastle, who plays Ipswich later on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Matheus Cunha inspired Wolves to victory against Leicester as the in-form hosts equaled a club record set 55 years ago.
The striker scored one and made goals for Jorgen Strand Larsen and Rodrigo Gomes as Wolves made it six straight top-flight wins for the first time since 1970.
Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa saved Jamie Vardy’s second-half penalty as the Foxes’ goal woes continued.
