Kelechi Iheanacho delivered another decisive moment for Bursaspor, scoring a late winner to secure a 2-1 victory over Manisa FK in the Turkish second tier on Sunday.

Late winner sees Kelechi Iheanacho continue fine form in Turkey

The Nigerian forward struck in stoppage time as Bursaspor completed their comeback away from home, continuing his impressive goalscoring form since joining the Turkish club.

Manisa had taken the lead after capitalising on an error from Bursaspor goalkeeper Kerem Matışlı, but Iheanacho helped the visitors fight back.

The Nigerian found the net to bring Bursaspor level before returning with the decisive contribution deep into added time to seal all three points for his side.

The latest performance adds to what has been a remarkable start to life in Turkey for Iheanacho.

Before the trip to Manisa, the former Super Eagles forward had scored six goals and provided two assists in his first five league appearances for Bursaspor. He had also scored twice in Bursaspor’s 4-0 victory over İstanbulspor earlier in the week.

His influence was once again evident against Manisa as Bursaspor needed a response after falling behind.

Iheanacho’s ability to deliver in crucial moments has quickly made him one of the key figures in the Bursaspor attack, with the Nigerian continuing to combine goalscoring with match-winning contributions.

The victory takes Bursaspor’s points tally to 15 as the club continues its push near the top of the league table.

For Iheanacho, the performance provides another positive chapter in a season that is rapidly gathering momentum.

The Nigerian forward has enjoyed several difficult periods in recent years, but his early form at Bursaspor has offered a reminder of the quality that once made him one of Nigeria‘s most exciting attacking prospects.

Goals have followed him in Turkey, and more importantly for Bursaspor, they have increasingly come at decisive moments.

Against Manisa, Iheanacho once again showed his value.

With the game heading towards its closing stages, the Nigerian stepped up when his team needed him most.

Another game. Another major contribution.

And this time, Kelechi Iheanacho‘s late intervention gave Bursaspor three valuable points.

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Alex Iwobi has made Premier League history after reaching 100 appearances for Fulham, becoming only the fifth player in the competition’s history to record a century of appearances for three different clubs.

The Nigeria international reached the landmark after featuring for Fulham against Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage on Saturday, completing a remarkable Premier League journey that has taken him through Arsenal, Everton and now Fulham.

Iwobi had previously made exactly 100 Premier League appearances for Arsenal and 123 for Everton. His appearance against Crystal Palace took his Fulham tally to 100, placing him alongside Gareth Barry, Rory Delap, Gary Speed and James Milner in an exclusive group.

The achievement caps more than a decade of Premier League football for Iwobi, who has continually adapted to different managers, positions and tactical demands since making his top-flight debut with Arsenal.

From Arsenal academy to Premier League regular

Iwobi’s Premier League journey began at Arsenal, where he joined the academy as a six-year-old.

After progressing through the youth system, he was handed his senior debut by Arsene Wenger in the League Cup at the beginning of the 2015-16 season. Four days later, he made his Premier League debut in Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over Swansea City.

The Nigerian went on to make exactly 100 Premier League appearances for the Gunners, scoring 11 goals and providing 17 assists.

His most productive season for assists came in 2018-19, when he made 35 league appearances, scoring three goals and providing six assists.

Iwobi was predominantly deployed in attacking positions during his Arsenal years, operating from wide areas or behind the striker. He also formed part of the Arsenal squad that won the FA Cup in 2017 and featured in the club’s Community Shield victory over Chelsea later that year.

Arsenal provided the platform on which Iwobi established himself as a Premier League player. His move to Everton, however, would see his role evolve significantly.

Everton: the test of consistency

Everton signed Iwobi for about £34 million in August 2019, bringing greater expectations after his four seasons in Arsenal’s first team.

His time at Goodison Park produced the highest number of Premier League appearances he has made for a single club, with 123.

Iwobi scored six Premier League goals and provided 11 assists for Everton, but his importance to the team increasingly extended beyond attacking statistics.

Managers began using him in central midfield and deeper roles, requiring him to contribute defensively, carry the ball and cover significant ground.

That development was particularly evident during the 2022-23 season, when Iwobi started all 38 of Everton’s Premier League matches as the club battled to avoid relegation.

His time at Everton helped turn him from an attacking prospect into a more versatile and dependable midfielder capable of fulfilling different tactical responsibilities.

Fulham: a new chapter

Iwobi joined Fulham from Everton on 1 September 2023, signing a contract that runs until the summer of 2028.

The transfer reunited him with Marco Silva, who had previously worked with the midfielder at Everton, and his time at Craven Cottage has produced some of the most productive attacking numbers of his career.

In his first season at Fulham, Iwobi scored five Premier League goals and provided two assists.

He then enjoyed the highest-scoring league campaign of his career in 2024-25, scoring nine Premier League goals and providing six assists in 38 appearances.

He followed that with four goals and three assists in 29 appearances during the 2025-26 campaign.

After starting the 2026-27 season with 99 Premier League appearances for Fulham, Iwobi needed just one more outing to complete his century.

That moment arrived against Crystal Palace, as the midfielder officially reached 100 appearances for the London club.

His Fulham spell has also highlighted his continued evolution. Rather than being used solely as an attacking player, Iwobi has increasingly operated as a midfielder capable of progressing the ball, creating chances, contributing defensively and taking responsibility in possession.

Silva has previously praised his performances and versatility, describing Iwobi as one of Fulham’s key players and highlighting his ability to operate in several positions.

Joining an exclusive group

Iwobi’s achievement places him alongside some of the Premier League’s most experienced players.

Gareth Barry remains one of the competition’s most enduring figures, finishing his career with 653 Premier League appearances. He made 365 appearances for Aston Villa, 132 for Manchester City and 131 for Everton.

Rory Delap also reached the 100-appearance mark for three clubs, doing so with Derby County, Southampton and Stoke City. He finished his Premier League career with 359 appearances.

Gary Speed achieved the feat with Leeds United, Newcastle United and Bolton Wanderers, making 143, 213 and 121 appearances respectively.

James Milner later joined the group, having already surpassed 100 appearances for Aston Villa and Manchester City before reaching the milestone with Liverpool in 2018. Milner went on to establish the Premier League appearance record with 658 matches.

Iwobi is now the fifth player to achieve the same landmark.

A milestone built on adaptation

Iwobi’s achievement is about more than reaching 300 Premier League appearances.

His career has been defined by his ability to adapt.

At Arsenal, he was an academy graduate developing into an attacking first-team player. At Everton, he became a dependable regular who could operate in multiple positions and handle demanding tactical responsibilities.

At Fulham, he has combined those qualities with greater attacking production while becoming an increasingly influential midfielder.

Across his Premier League career, Iwobi has now made more than 300 appearances, scoring and creating goals while establishing himself as one of the competition’s most experienced Nigerian players.

His journey from an Arsenal academy prospect to a three-club centurion is a reflection of his longevity, versatility and continued development.

Arsenal gave Iwobi his Premier League beginning. Everton tested his consistency and adaptability. Fulham have provided the latest chapter of his evolution.

Now, with 100 Premier League appearances for Fulham officially added to his 100 for Arsenal and 123 for Everton, Iwobi has secured his place in Premier League history.

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Bournemouth defender Matai Akinmboni has completed a season-long loan move to Scottish Premiership side Dundee, giving the young centre-back an opportunity to gain valuable first-team experience away from the Premier League club.

The move is an important step in the development of the dual-national defender, who has been working his way towards establishing himself at senior level.

Dundee offers him a different challenge. The Scottish Premiership is physically demanding and highly competitive, and the defender will be expected to adapt quickly to a new environment. For a young centre-back, playing consistently against experienced attackers can be particularly valuable for improving decision-making, positioning and confidence.

For Bournemouth, the loan is also part of Akinmboni’s development plan. Rather than remaining on the fringes of the first team, he now has the chance to play regularly, handle pressure and return with greater experience. A successful season could put him in a stronger position when he returns to the south coast.

Akinmboni’s dual-national background is also an added advantage to his career. The defender has represented the United States at youth level, while his Nigerian heritage means his international future could attract attention as his senior career develops.

The immediate target, however, is straightforward: play, develop and become a more complete defender. Dundee will hope Akinmboni can strengthen their backline.

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