By Victor Kanayo
Up to three top Nigerian internationals – Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfried Ndidi and Paul Onuachu were relegated with their various football clubs – Leicester City and Southampton from the English Premier League to the Championship.
While Iheanacho and Ndidi ply their trade with Leicester, Onachu plays for Southampton.
Leicester Woes
Leicester’s exit triggered an end to their nine-year stay in the Premier League despite beating West Ham on the final day of the 2022/23 season.
The 2016 Premier League champions needed to win and hope other results would work out in their favour.
The Foxes’ fate was out of their hands heading into the last round of fixtures, and Everton’s 1-0 victory over Bournemouth meant the 2015-16 winners slipped into the Championship by two points.
While Toffees fans were in ecstasy at Goodison Park, Leicester supporters at the King Power were left to rue a miserable campaign in which they won only nine league matches.
Saints Bye
Also, Southampton bid goodbye to the Premier League with a thrilling 4-4 draw against Liverpool at St Mary’s.
This was after hot goals exchange between the two sides.
Leeds Low, Spurs European Disappointment
For Leeds United, now handled by Sam Allardyce, they came into the match needing to win and relying on results elsewhere to avoid the dreaded drop after a dismal season, and could hardly have made a worse start.
Harry Kane brace and goals from Pedro Porro and Lucas Moura condemned Leeds to the Championship as Tottenham ran out 4-1 winners at Elland Road on a dramatic final day of the Premier League season.
Despite the win, Tottenham missed out on European football for the first time since the 2010/11 campaign, as the club prepare for a huge summer transfer window, while Leeds will have to dust themselves down and prepare for life in the Championship.
Forest Escape
Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi continued his excellent late-season form with the opening goal in a final-day draw at Crystal Palace.
With Forest having secured their Premier League status last weekend and Palace long since safe, there was a celebratory atmosphere at Selhurst Park before kick-off.
