West Bromwich Albion of England defender, Semi Ajayi has gained an enchanting verbal salute from the Baggies’ former striker and ex-Super Eagles’ star, Peter Osaze Odemwingie, who disclosed that he was impressed with his compatriot’s goal for the club last weekend, megasportsarena.com reports.
Ajayi made history by becoming only the third player to score nine goals with headers in the English Premier League’s history, as the former Rotherham United of England centre back-cum-holding midfielder made hay in Saturday’s nerve-wracking victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Ajayi led the way for Nigerian players in the English Premier League, as he got 90 minutes of action and added another goal that helped his side get a good grip on the battle against relegation.
The maximum three points kept West Brom 19th on the log, with 11 points, three adrift of safety, while Wolves’ struggles continue, as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are without a win in five league games and stay 14th.
Albion’s two centre-backs, Kyle Bartley and Ajayi combined from a long throw and the latter leveled eight minutes after the restart, lopping a brilliant header over Patricio and into the far corner, as the game turned into an explosive encounter worth all the pre-match hype.
Ajayi got a 36th minute yellow card before he hit his side’s second goal of the encounter, as The Baggies’ coach, Sam Allardyce got his first win since taking over the saddle at The Hawthorns and his side breathed new life into their bid for survival with victory in the Black Country derby.
The tall defender’s 52nd minute goal for WBA was their first via a throw-in situation in the EPL since Graham Dorrans versus QPR in April 2012 and, since the start of 2018/19, no defender has scored more headed league goals in England’s top four tiers than the Super Eagles’ youngster, who has nine and is now level with Virgil van Dijk and Aaron Pierre.
In the wake of the encounter at Molineux Stadium, Osaze took to social media to celebrate Ajayi’s goal, while also pointing out that he was thrilled seeing his former club earn a crucial point against their local revivals, which he noted boosted their ongoing battles against relegation from the top-flight league in England.
Osaze noted Ajayi’s brilliant effort and The Baggies’ fighting spirit that brought the victory but he urged them to keep fighting harder, even as he added in his post via @OdemwingieP: “Great performance. Nigeria on the score sheet huh we love this game Ok. @WBA Need to win more games with this same approach boys.”
