EPL Wrap: Iheanacho & Abraham Subbed In; Ndidi & Okaka Out; Ibe Benched

A round-up of Nigerian players that were in action for their respective clubs in the English Premier League on Saturday, May 5th.

The Nigerian players with dual nationalities and have played competitively for the senior national teams of other countries have been omitted.

In the early kick off at the Bet365 stadium, Stoke were confirmed to be relegated after falling to a 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace, their first after a ten-season stay in the topflight.

After going ahead through a brilliant Xerdan Shaqiri's effort, late goals from James McArthur and Patrick Van Aanholt sealed their fate for life in the Championship next season.

Stoke's talented Nigerian attacker, Shola Ayoola who has been promoted to the club's U23s has yet to make his first team debut.

At the King Power stadium, goals from João Mário (34') and Mark Noble (64') orchestrated a pivotal 2-0 victory for West Ham over hosts, Leicester City in the race for topflight survival.

Crocked Super Eagles midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi was left out of the hosts squad while his compatriot, Kelechi Iheanacho came on after the hour mark for Hamza Choudhury.

Ryan Fraser's 37th minute strike was all that separated Bournemouth and Swansea City in their tensed 1-0 turn out at the Vitality stadium.

NFF targets, Tammy Abraham and Jordon Ibe were named among the substitutes for their respective teams, with the Chelsea loanee coming on for Nathan Dyer after 59 minutes while Ibe would not make it off the bench.

Over to the Vicarage Road and it was Watford who came out top 2-1 to end their seven-game winless run in the expense of Newcastle courtesy of first half efforts from Ricardo Pereyra and Andre Gray. Ayoze Perez hit back for the Magpies in the 55th minute though.

Nigerian striker Stefano Okaka was not among the Hornets squad listed for the game after undergoing surgery this week.

Finally, in the late kick-off at the Goodison Park, young striker, Micheal Obafemi is not included in Southampton's traveling party as Everton welcome the Saints.

Emmanuel Chinaza