Iwobi scores 25th EPL goal in Fulham defeat

Alex Iwobi reached a personal milestone on Saturday, scoring his 25th Premier League goal as Fulham hosted Wolves at Craven Cottage.

Despite his spectacular strike, the Cottagers suffered a humbling 4-1 defeat. However, Iwobi’s milestone performance stands out as a bright spot in the otherwise gloomy evening for the hosts.

The Nigerian midfielder, renowned for his technical prowess and work rate, opened the scoring in the 28th minute. Receiving a well-placed pass from Kenny Tete, Iwobi surged forward, with Wolves’ defence backing off. The 28-year-old unleashed a curling left-footed shot into the far corner, leaving goalkeeper Jose Sa with no chance.

Iwobi’s goal initially seemed to set Fulham on course for a positive result. However, Wolves roared back with a vengeance. Matheus Cunha delivered a stunning individual display, equalising shortly after Iwobi’s opener. The Brazilian controlled Mario Lemina’s long ball with sublime skill before lifting a delicate finish over Bernd Leno.
The second half saw Wolves take control, with Joao Gomes drilling a powerful shot past Leno from Cunha’s assist. Cunha then doubled his tally with a curling effort into the top corner, and Goncalo Guedes added a late fourth on the counter-attack, sealing a dominant victory for Gary O’Neil’s men.

Despite the loss, Iwobi’s performance showcased his value to Fulham. The midfielder played with energy and determination, linking up well with teammates and delivering moments of creativity.
Since making his Premier League debut for Arsenal in 2015, Iwobii has consistently proven his quality. Spanning stints at Arsenal, Everton, and now Fulham, Iwobi has amassed 265 league appearances, scoring 25 goals and providing 32 assists.
During his spell with Arsenal, Iwobi scored 11 goals and added another six while with Everton. With eight goals scored in his first two seasons with Fulham, the midfielder has now scored 25 goals.

This season, Iwobi has been a pivotal figure for Fulham, contributing three goals and two assists in 12 appearances. His versatility allows him to excel in various midfield roles, and his ability to create and score has made him an indispensable asset for Marco Silva’s side.

Iwobi’s 25th Premier League goal places him eighth among Nigerian goal scorers in the competition’s history, just behind Victor Anichebe (27 goals). The list is led by Yakubu Aiyegbeni with an impressive 95 goals, followed by Nwankwo Kanu (54), and Efan Ekoku (53).

While Iwobi has some way to go to catch the likes of Kanu and Yakubu, his continued consistency suggests he could climb higher in the rankings.

As Fulham look to bounce back from their defeat, fans will be hoping Iwobi continues to deliver the kind of performances that have made him one of Nigeria’s finest exports to the Premier League. With 25 goals and counting, the journey is far from over for the Silver-Man.