Lookman hits brace in Atalanta 6-1 win as Boniface continues scoring streak

Ademola Lookman, Super Eagles striker, shone with two goals and assists for Atalanta in their 6-1 win over Hellas Verona on Saturday.

Lookman took centre stage in the Serie A encounter, providing two assists before scoring two goals within 30 minutes in the first half. He went into the first-half break with a standing ovation from fans, before he was substituted on 56 minutes with three points all but secured for Atalanta.

Lookman’s perfect night brings his season’s record to ten goal contributions in 10 matches — including five goals and assists respectively. The former Everton attacker has also scored 80 goals in his career.

Other national teammates who continued their fine form included Alex Iwobi and Victor Boniface. Iwobi scored a brilliant goal in Fulham’s 1-1 draw against Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday. Iwobi put Fulham ahead on 61 minutes when he collected an Emile Smith-Rowe pass, danced past a defender, and scored.

Calvin Bassey, the Super Eagles defender, played all 90 minutes of the encounter for Fulham.

It was a similar fate for Boniface who scored but his Leverkusen team conceded a late goal to Werder Bremen for a 2-2 draw. Boniface, who missed Leverkusen’s UCL midweek fixture after suffering minor bruises from an auto accident last weekend, put Xabi Alonso’s side in the lead on 30 minutes, using his pace to meet Jeremy Frimpong’s cross ahead of a defender and guide the ball into the net.

Felix Agu, a former Germany youth international of Nigerian descent, scored an own goal to restore Leverkusen’s lead, but the visitors could not hang on. They conceded in the 90th minute to share the points.

On-form Boniface is currently on a four-match scoring streak for Leverkusen. He has eight goals in 11 matches this season, including six in the league.

Also in Germany, Frank Onyeka put in a solid midfield display in Augsburg’s shock 2-1 win over 10-man Borussia Dortmund. Onyeka was one of three Augsburg players with over 90% pass accuracy, won the joint-highest tackles for the home side, and intercepted the ball more than any other player on the pitch.

In Belgium, Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi opened his Super League account with two goals in OH Leuven’s 2-0 win over Sporting Charleroi away from home.