It was a day of dwindling fortunes in England for West Bromwich Albion defender, Semi Ajayi and Stoke City midfielder, John Mikel Obi, as they both got lowly statistics tagged to their names, megasportsarena.com reports.
While Mikel missed the fourth straight English Championship match for The Potters, due to fitness issues, Ajayi appeared flat footed and failed to save his side from an unusual defeat in the English Premier League.
Ajayi was found lagging on a number of occasions during his side’s 2-1 loss away to Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Saturday, thereby keeping his team 19th on the EPL’s log, with the former Rotherham United versatile player having got full duration minutes under his boots in what was his 11th start of the season.
Ajayi was found wanting in allowing Miguel Almiron shoot The Magpies ahead after just 19 seconds, for the fastest EPL goal so far this season, but the Super Eagles’ full-back-cum-central defender was adjudged by many observers to have lost his links in WBA’s back-three defence line.
The former Flying Eagles’ invitee then got a 69th minute yellow carded, and his first caution since Albion’s opening day loss to Leicester City proved to be very costly, as Dwight Gayle got off the bench against the side he was on loan with in the 2018/19 season an hit in an 82nd minute winner.
