PARIS: Mohamed Salah had a goal-bound shot in extra time blocked as Liverpool suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat by Crystal Palace at the weekend, badly denting their Premier League title hopes.
The Reds currently lie third, behind Arsenal on goal difference and two points below leaders Manchester City. Additionally, four of their last six matches are away from Anfield, including a derby at Everton.
Nigerian Victor Boniface converted a penalty to put Bayer Leverkusen on course for a 5-0 victory over Werder Bremen. This result puts them in contention for their first Bundesliga title in their 120-year history, according to AFP.
African headline-makers in the major European leagues:
England
MOHAMED SALAH (Liverpool)
The Egypt captain endured a frustrating game along with his teammates as the Reds’ title hopes were dealt a major blow. He had one last chance to get a point at Anfield in stoppage time, but his shot was skillfully blocked by Tyrick Mitchell.
FRANK ONYEKA (Brentford)
The Nigeria midfielder sealed a 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Sheffield United by netting the second goal in stoppage time, just 2 minutes after coming off the bench. He slid the ball past goalkeeper Ivo Grbic to secure Brentford’s first win in ten league games.
ALEX IWOBI (Fulham)
The 27-year-old was a central figure as the Cottagers won 2-0 at London rivals West Ham, with the Nigeria midfielder assisting set up 2 goals for Andreas Pereira. It was from Iwobi’s cross that Pereira started the scoring in the 9th minute. Iwobi turned provider again eighteen minutes from time when, after bursting on to a ball from Rodrigo Muniz, his accurate pass allowed Brazilian Pereira to turn the ball home.
SPAIN
YOUSSEF EN NESYRI (Sevilla)
Morocco international En-Nesyri escaped his markers and placed a header past Las Palmas goalkeeper Aaron Escandell to send his side ahead by a single goal just before half-time. His contribution helped Sevilla rise to thirteenth as they secured a 2-0 win. It was En-Nesyri’s 6th goal in 9 games.
GERMANY
VICTOR BONIFACE (Bayer Leverkusen)
On his first start in the league this year after an injury, Boniface started the scoring with a first-half penalty to put Leverkusen on track for a 5-0 home victory over Werder Bremen and a first Bundesliga title. Boniface stepped up to the spot and cooly dispatched the ball to the right of Michael Zetterer.
SERHOU GUIRASSY (Stuttgart)
Another match, another goal for Stuttgart and Guinea striker Guirassy, who opened the scoring in a 3-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt, which kept his 3rd-placed side on course for Champions League football next season. His twenty-five goals in 23 games is the most in a league campaign by a Stuttgart player.
FRANCE
STEVE MOUNIE (Brest)
Benin international and former Premier League forward Mounie scored the 1st Brest goal in a Ligue One thriller they lost 4-3 at Lyon. Second-placed Brest trailed 1-0, then scored 3 times in 7 minutes before conceding 3 goals, with the winner coming from a penalty sixteen minutes into added time.
