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Nigerian-born Italian player, Ogbona helps West Ham win over Everton on Moyes’ return

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Angelo Ogbonna, an Italian player of Nigerian parentage has helped West Ham manager David Moyes enjoyed a winning return to Everton as Ogbonna’s header sealed a 1-0 victory at Goodison Park on Sunday (Oct 17).

Ogbonna was born to Nigerian parents who emigrated to Italy from Nigeria in 1983, settling in the city of Cassino in the central part of the country, but managed to obtain Italian citizenship only after his 18th birthday. He turned to be the hero for West Ham on Sunday in the match that marked the return of Moyes who had  spent 11 years in charge of the Merseyside club from 2002 to 2013 and is still regarded fondly by Everton fans.

But his relationship with Everton’s current boss Rafael Benitez is less cordial after the Spaniard irritated Moyes by labelling the Toffees a small club during his time at Liverpool.

Benitez apologised for that comment after his controversial appointment as Everton boss in the close-season.

But, with that spat in mind, Moyes may well have taken extra satisfaction from a victory that moved West Ham above Everton in the Premier League.

Benitez was unbeaten in his last nine league meetings with teams managed by Moyes, winning five in a row before this weekend’s encounter.

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His dominance over Moyes came to an abrupt halt as Ogbonna headed home with 16 minutes to play, extending West Ham’s unbeaten away record in all competitions this term.

The east Londoners have won five of the six games on their travels, while Everton slumped to their first home defeat this season.

“I want the team to challenge, I want the team to play wherever we go, get us a victory,” Moyes said.

“It is great. We want to keep fighting and do well in the league and in Europe as well.”

Benitez felt aggrieved as Everton claimed Michail Antonio had fouled goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in an aerial challenge that resulted in a corner earlier.

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From Bowen’s set piece, the Italy defender rose highest to glance his header past Pickford.

“I have a problem because I am from Spain and normally in Europe, the six-yard box is to protect the keeper,” Benitez said.

“When you have a player blocking the keeper in the six-yard area it is a free-kick.”

-AFP

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Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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