Nigeria Players Abroad
Europe League: Nathan Tella helps sloppy Bayen Leverkusen survive Molde comeback
By Wale Mustapha
Nigerian born England striker, Nathan Tella gave Xabi Alonso a memorable one year anniversary celebration as Bayer Leverkusen manager with his first goal for the club in their 2-1 EUFA Europa League win over Molde on Thursday.
The young striker who has just pledged allegiance to play for his native country Nigeria scored one of the two goals for the German side to extend their unbeaten run in all competitions this season.
Even with a rotated starting eleven, it wouldn’t stop Alonso side to have their nose in front within 15 minutes as Jeremie Frimpong followed up his earlier effort that was saved with a rebound.
Tella doubled the lead for the visitors four minutes later with their usual counter attacking style when Adam Hlozek broke free on the flank before feeding Tella who brilliantly find the far corner to put the game beyond Molde.
Molde showed intent after the restart, created some chances to reduce the deficit early on, no thanks to brilliant goalkeeping and frame of goal post to deny them the opportunities.
Leverkusen would later cave in from the pressure as Molde scored with two minutes from time as Emil Breivik scored a beautiful header to halved the deficit.
With late introduction of Victor Boniface for Leverkusen it wouldn’t yield any positives as they were on the back foot from then on.
The hosts’ pressure continued to mount, but too late to rescue a point against free scoring Leverkusen who have now netted 34 goals in nine competitive games this season.
