Derby dream comes true for Nigerian Iheanacho

Teenage Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho created the first goal and scored the second in a 2-1 derby triumph over Manchester United at the weekend. “It’s a dream come true to play in the Manchester derby and score the winning goal,” the Nigerian told Sky Sports after the first blockbuster of the English Premier League season. Odion Ighalo completed a profitable weekend for Nigerian goal poachers by scoring the first for Watford in a come-from-behind 4-2 triumph at West Ham United. ENGLAND KELECHI IHEANACHO (Manchester City) Iheanacho had a hand in both goals as City won 2-1 at Manchester United to earn manager Pep Guardiola victory over Jose Mourinho in his first Manchester derby. Deputising for the suspended Sergio Aguero, the 19-year-old Nigerian striker set up Kevin De Bruyne’s 15th-minute opener with a headed flick-on. He scored what proved to be the winning goal in the 36th minute by tapping home after De Bruyne had hit the post. ERIC BAILLY (Manchester United) Bailly has made an impressive start to life at United following his close-season move from Villarreal, but his first Manchester derby was an experience to forget. The 22-year-old Ivory Coast international was beaten in the air by Iheanacho for City’s opening goal and criticised by manager Mourinho for playing risky passes. “I told Bailly 20 times, never play a first-station ball,” Mourinho said. “He did it 20 times during the game.” SADIO MANE (Liverpool) Senegalese winger Mane continued his impressive start to life at Liverpool by scoring on his home debut in a 4-1 rout of champions Leicester City. The former Southampton forward netted Liverpool’s second goal in the 31st minute, gathering a clever back-heel from Daniel Sturridge and dinking a shot over Kasper Schmeichel. He also set up Liverpool’s fourth goal, skipping past Schmeichel and unselfishly teeing up Roberto Firmino to roll in his second goal of the match. Iheanacho ODION IGHALO (Watford) Ighalo scored his first league goal of the season to kickstart Watford’s comeback in their impressive 4-2 win at West Ham United. With the visitors 2-0 down at London Stadium, the Nigeria striker reduced the arrears by cutting in from the left and beating goalkeeper Adrian with the aid of a deflection off James Collins. Troy Deeney equalised and second-half goals from Etienne Capoue and Jose Holebas gave Watford the three points. SPAIN CARLOS KAMENI (Malaga) Cameroon goalkeeper Kameni saved the 11th penalty of his La Liga career when he stopped Villarreal captain Bruno’s spot-kick. However, Kameni couldn’t prevent Malaga slipping to a 2-0 defeat which leaves them stlll without a win this season. ITALY MOHAMED SALAH (Roma) Salah got Roma off to the perfect start, heading Diego Perotti’s cross into the Sampdoria net after just eight minutes of a five-goal thriller at the Stadio Olimpico to claim his second of the season. The lively Egyptian later headed into the side-netting in a match won 3-2 by Roma. ALFRED DUNCAN (Sassuolo) A trip to five-time consecutive champions Juventus can be daunting enough, but when you’re trying to mark one of the Old Lady’s signature signings in Miralem Pjanic, it can just get worse. Ghanaian Duncan found out the hard way when the Bosnian midfielder cruised past him at the near post to create a chance that was saved in a game Juventus won 3-1. Duncan will be hoping for a more positive result when Sassuolo make their Europa League group stage debut at home to Athletic Bilbao on Thursday. FRANCE YOUSSEF AIT BENNASSER (Nancy) The 20-year-old Morocco midfielder struck Nancy’s first goal of the season. His firm low drive from the edge of the area opened the scoring on 32 minutes as last season’s second division champions picked up their first points with a 2-0 win at Lorient. CHEIKH N’DOYE (Angers) The Senegalese midfielder swept home a 67th-minute effort — helped by some unconvincing goalkeeping — for Angers’ second goal as they came from behind to defeat Dijon 3-1 and snap a three-game losing run. GERMANY NABY KEITA (RB Leipzig) The Guinean scored a minute from time to give promoted Leipzig a shock 1-0 home win over title hopefuls Borussia Dortmund, who had threatened in the early stages through Gabon striker and 2015 African Footballer of the Year Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.