Europa: United, Spurs win as Ndidi, Olayinka battle ends in stalemate, Atiemwen scores

MANCHESTER United claimed the biggest win in Thursday night’s first set of UEFA Europa League round of 32 first leg matches, defeating Real Sociedad 4-0 in Turin.

Playing the first leg in the Italian city instead of in Spain due to COVID-19 restrictions, United were ruthless against their ‘hosts’ with Bruno Fernandes scoring twice, and Marcus Rashford and Daniel James scoring the other goals.

In Prague, Nigerian stars Wilfred Ndidi and Peter Olayinka were in the starting line-ups of Leicester City and Slavia Prague respectively but the fixture ended goalless.

Another Super Eagles star Kelechi Iheanacho was a 64th minute substitute for Jamie Vardy. Iheanacho and Ndidi both received yellow cards in the encounter.

In Russia, Nigerian forward Iyayi Believe Atiemwen scored the winner in the 75th minute as Dinamo Zagreb snatched a 3-2 away win over Krasnodar.

Atiemwen was a 63rd minute substitute for Lovro Mayer, spending just 12 minutes on the pitch before his important strike.

The 25-year-old former Nigeria U-23s forward has now scored four goals in 10 matches across all competitions for Dinamo Zagred this season.

Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur made light work of Austrian side Wolfsberger away, winning 4-1 through goals from Heung-min Son, Gareth Bale, Lucas Moura and Vinicius.