The past weekend was a bad one for Nigerian players in the English Premier League, as their clubs sank deeper into the relegation zone.

This season, no doubt, has been among the worst for Super Eagles players in recent years, with Alex Iwobi (Everton), Paul Onuachu and Joseph Aribo (Southampton), Taiwo Awoniyi and Emmanuel Dennis (Nottingham Forest), Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City) all at the risk of dropping down to the English Championship unless a miracle happens.

Iwobi’s Everton lost 1-3 at home to Fulham on Saturday, while Manchester City defeated Leicester City with the same margin. Iheanacho got the home team’s lone goal in the game.

The 26-year-old Iwobi, a mainstay of the Premier League team for a while now, his presence, however, has not changed anything for Sean Dyche’s side, which occupy the 17th position on the table.

Leicester City’s case has been the most surprising as the 2015/16 champion, had in the past two seasons, maintained mid table positions and at some point, even challenged for Europe.

Nottingham Forest, home to Dennis and Awoniyi, occupy the 18th position, albeit on goals difference from Everton, as both have the same 27 points from 30 matches.

Forest recruited Awoniyi from Union Berlin, where the 2013 U-17 World Cup winner had a really successful stay, but his presence in the former European champions, who gained promotion from the Championship, has not been as expected.

Yesterday against Manchester United, Awoniyi missed a good chance that would have given his side the fillip to battle the slide with seven matches left to go. Dennis was a late substitute in the game Nottingham Forest lost 0-2 at home.

Southampton, home to Aribo and Onuachu, is the last team on the table with 23 points from 31 matches.

On Saturday, they lost 0-2 to an Eberechi Eze inspired Crystal Palace, with the Nigerian-born British star getting the two goals.

However, it is not all doom for Nigerians in the Premiership as Frank Onyeka of Brentford is having a swell time in his first season in England.

The 25-year-old Onyeka has been a crucial part of Brentford’s attacking style of play, with manager Thomas Frank entrusting him to do the dirty work in the middle of the pitch for his side, allowing the more flair players to work their magic.

But he was an unused substitute when Brentford lost 0-2 to Wolves at the Molineaux Stadium on Saturday. (The Guardian)

•Super Eagles’ stars sink deeper into EPL’s relegation zone as six clubs battle for survival

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