Fulham of England summer loan signing from AS Torino of Italy, Ola Aina has found a flood of accolades coming his way, following his first goal since returning to the English Premier League, megasportsarena.com reports.
Aina made hay in Monday’s EPL fixture against Semi Ajayi’s West Bromwich Albion, which left former Super Eagles’ striker, Efan Ekoku sand Fulham’s coach, Scott Parker both singing praises for the former Chelsea of England youth team player.
While Ekoku was beaming with satisfaction that his compatriot stole the show in Monday’s game and helped The Cottagers eke out their first victory of the season, Parker attributed the goal to Aina’s determination and the squad’s readiness to take more risks within the penalty area.
The 24-year-old Aina, who got his seventh EPL appearance against The Baggies, three of which had earlier been during his time with Chelsea, where he began his career, was happy to help Fulham up to 17th position on the log, ahead of their upcoming London derby with West Ham United on Saturday.
The standout moment came for Aina in the 30th minute when he doubled Fulham’s advantage with a wonder-strike into the top corner, as he hit the ball home from outside the box and he marked his first bull’s eye in the EPL during his seventh appearance.
In the aftermath of the delightful, evening for Aina and his team, the coach went on to declare how happy he was seeing that the right-footed Super Eagles’ full-back has been working on shooting with his left leg and got due reward with a sensational thunderbolt from outside the box.
Parker told Fulham’s official website: “We’re going to have to take risks in or around the box and Ola did that and it’s flown into the top corner. It was a great strike. We might have to take risks. Anyone watching us with an open mind will see we have a bit of quality. We had some lovely bits in both halves.”
On his part, Ekoku extolled Aina’s quality and striker during commentary of the game, and the former Norwich City striker retorted: “What a strike! On the end of a beautiful move, the best of the game from Fulham.
“Aina comes inside. That’s a cracking hit, an absolute beauty, look at the technique, absolutely clean into the top corner. He’s actually involved with it so early on and to hit that. That is as brilliant as you are ever going to see a football being hit.”
