African players in Europe: Zaha ends 1,245-minute goal drought

Paris (AFP) – Sadio Mane and Riyad Mahrez scored in the English Premier League at the weekend, but the most significant goal from an African star was struck by Wilfried Zaha. 

His goal could not prevent mid-table Crystal Palace losing 2-1 at home to leaders Liverpool, but it ended a morale-sapping 1,245-minute goal drought for the Ivorian winger.

Zaha, one of 30 nominees named Sunday for the 2019 African Player of the Year award, wasted a late chance to snatch a second equaliser when he blazed over from close range.

ENGLAND

WILFRIED ZAHA (Crystal Palace)

Ivory Coast international Zaha, 27, scored his first goal of the season for Crystal Palace in their defeat against leaders Liverpool, ending a period of 1,245 minutes on the pitch without finding the net.

SADIO MANE (Liverpool)

Senegal forward Mane, 27, put Liverpool ahead shortly after half-time at Palace. Mane’s shot, which hit both posts before spinning over the line, was his 12th of the season.

RIYAD MAHREZ (Manchester City)

Algerian international Mahrez, 28, turned the game against Chelsea on its head with a jinking run and finish into the far corner, a goal that turned out to be the winner in a 2-1 victory. It was his third Premier League goal of the season in his first league appearance since early October.

SPAIN

YOUSSEF EN-NESYRI (Leganes)

En-Nesyri scored a stunning early goal but it was not enough to prevent Leganes losing at home to Barcelona. The Moroccan forward cut inside from the right and unleashed a shot into the top left-hand corner at Butarque, only for Luis Suarez and Arturo Vidal to give Barca a 2-1 victory. En-Nesyri now has three goals in as many games for Leganes, who remain rooted to the bottom of La Liga.

ITALY

MUSA BARROW (Atalanta)

Barrow got his first start for Atalanta but missed an early penalty in a 2-1 loss to champions Juventus. The 21-year-old Gambian rattled the crossbar after 17 minutes following a spot-kick awarded for a Sami Khedira handball. Barrow redeemed himself with the cross that allowed Robin Gosens to nod in a goal for the home side before being substituted.

FRANCK KESSIE (AC Milan)

Ivorian international Kessie came on for struggling AC Milan as a second-half substitute in a 1-1 draw against Napoli, having being overlooked by new coach Stefano Pioli for the past two league games. Despite a solid performance, the 22-year-old midfielder came under fire from Milan fans on social media after being photographed sitting in the locker room in the San Siro alongside two teammates before the game looking at their mobile phones.

from World Soccer Talk https://ift.tt/35ysXt3