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17.01.2007 Football News

African goals in Europe: 13-14 Dec

By BBC & Myghanafootball
African goals in Europe: 13-14 Dec
17.01.2007 LISTEN

England

Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins scored a stunning goal to inspire Newcastle United to a stirring victory at Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premiership. Newcastle were trailing 2-1 in the second half at White Hart Lane when Martins received a pass from midfielder Kieron Dyer.

Collecting the ball on his left foot, he turned and ran at the defence before unleashing a ferocious rising left-foot drive from 25 metres that flew in to the top corner and left England goalkeeper Paul Robinson helpless.

The Nigerian then played a prominent part in Nicky Butt's winning goal 94 seconds later which sealed Newcastle's third away win of the season.

Elsewhere in England, two well-known Ivorian players scored goals in impressive victories for their London teams.

Didier Drogba maintained his goal-scoring consistency by heading his 14th league goal of the season and Chelsea's fourth in an easy 4-0 win over struggling Wigan Athletic.

Nigerian Jon Obi Mikel provided the assist for Drogba's goal and made an impression again as he staked a claim for a regular place in the Chelsea team.

Drogba is top scorer in the Premier League ahead of Manchester United's Portuguese winger Christiano Ronaldo on 13.

Another Nigerian, Yakubu Aiyegbeni of Middlesbrough, is one of three players third with 10 goals ahead of Kanu, of Portsmouth and South African Benni McCarthy on nine while Martins has eight.

Kolo Toure headed his fourth goal of the season in Arsenal's 2-0 win at Blackburn.

He made a perfectly-timed run to meet a free kick by French forward Thierry Henry and score past American goalkeeper Brad Friedel.

Yakubu scored his 10th goal of the season in Middlesbrough's 3-1 triumph at relegation-threatened Charlton Athletic.

The former Portsmouth striker fired a swerving shot past on-loan goalkeeper Scott Carson from 20 metres.

Spain

Mali international striker Frederic Kanoute scored his 15th goal of the season for Sevilla but the leaders surprisingly lost 2-1 at home to Mallorca.

Kanoute opened the scoring with a successful penalty but Sevilla conceded goals by Jose Carlos Nunes and Argentine Maxi Lopez as Mallorca climbed to 15th.

France

Africans also top the scoring charts - although Ivorian Aruna Dindane and Guinea's Ismael Bangoura share their tally of 8 goals with three other players.

Neither were on target this weekend but Morocco's Marouane Chamakh equalised for Bordeaux in their 1-1 home draw with Lorient.

Algerian Rafik Saifi had given the visitors the lead.

Cameroon's Joseph-Desire Job was on target for bottom side Sedan in their 2-2 draw at home to Nancy.

Elsewhere, Cameroonian Achille Emana gave Toulouse the lead in their unexpected 2-0 victory over league leaders Lyon.

Italy

Cameroon and Parma defender Ferdinand Coly was sent off for two yellow-card offences in his team's 2-0 defeat at Empoli.

The result left Coly's team in relegation trouble, one place off the bottom of the Serie A table.

Belgium

Moroccan Mbark Boussoufa fired two goals for Anderlecht as booked their place in the Cup quarter-finals with a 5-2 victory over second-division Dender.

Second-division Antwerp also reached the last eight with a 4-1 win over top-flight Lierse.

Togolese Maman Souleymane scored the last goal, while Gambia's Mustapha Jarju netted Lierse's consolation.

Fellow Togolese Olufade Adekanmi was on target for Gent who edged out Roulers 3-2 and Cameroonian Aloys Nong scored in Kortrijk's 4-2 win over St Truiden.

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