Paul Onuachu’s relentless work rate earns him praise from Southampton boss

• Nigerian striker Onuachu had put Southampton ahead early, towering over Palace’s defence to score in the 20th minute
• Onuachu has been a rare bright spot in a struggling squad, but individual performances alone won’t be enough to secure their Premier League survival.
• With time running out, the Saints need a miracle, or they will face relegation to the EFL Championship at the end of the season.

Nigerian striker Paul Onuachu displayed an impressive performance for Southampton, finding the net in their 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace at St. Mary’s. 

However, the Nigerian striker’s efforts were not enough to secure all three points, as a late equaliser from Matheus França denied the Saints a much-needed victory.

Southampton head coach Ivan Juric was full of praise for Onuachu, commending his relentless work rate and influence in attack. 

The towering forward, who was making his ninth Premier League start of the season, capitalised on his aerial prowess to give Southampton the lead in the 20th minute. Rising above Palace’s defenders, he met a well-delivered cross with precision, sending the home fans into celebration.

Despite their early lead, Southampton struggled to maintain control of the game. 

As the match wore on, Palace piled on the pressure, seeking a way back into the contest. Their persistence paid off in the 92nd minute when Jefferson Lerma delivered a teasing cross into the box, finding Matheus França. The Brazilian forward made no mistake, heading past Aaron Ramsdale to rescue a point for the visitors and scoring his first goal of the season.

Juric, who previously coached Nigerian defender Ola Aina during his time at Torino, acknowledged the disappointment of conceding so late but highlighted Onuachu’s contributions. 

Speaking to the club’s official website, he said, 

“He’s an incredible guy, always training hard. He has some good things and some bad things he can do better, but he’s always giving his all.”

With just eight games left in the Premier League season, Southampton’s survival hopes appear slim. The Saints remain seven points behind 19th-placed Leicester City, making their relegation into the EFL Championship increasingly likely. 

While Onuachu’s performances have been a bright spot, Southampton will need more than individual brilliance to pull off an unlikely escape from the drop zone.

“I’m just happy I got one today,” Nigeria’s Aina elated after helping Forest beat Brentford

Previously, TheRadar reported that Nigerian full-back Ola Aina was elated as he shone once again after his early strike set Nottingham Forest on course for a stunning 2-0 victory over Brentford at the Brentford Community Stadium on Saturday, December 21. 

The win marked Forest’s third consecutive victory, pushing them momentarily to fourth place in the Premier League table, just two points below Arsenal.