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In a dazzling display that caught the eye of Premier League legend Alan Shearer, Fulham's Calvin Bassey emerged as a standout performer during the Cottagers' thrilling 2-1 victory against Manchester United.
His stellar performance at Old Trafford, particularly his pivotal role in neutralizing the threat posed by Marcus Rashford, has been the talk of the town.
Shearer, who holds the enviable record as the Premier League's top scorer, didn't hold back in his praise for the Nigerian defender, noting his exceptional ability to keep Rashford at bay throughout the match.
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18:35 - 26.02.2024
Calvin Bassey: Fulham were just at it more and wanted it more than Manchester United
Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey expressed a simple but potent sentiment that Fulham had a deeper desire for the win than Manchester United.
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11:57 - 25.02.2024
Iwobi, Bassey and 5 other legendary Nigerians who have scored against Manchester United
Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi struck to give Fulham all three points against Manchester United and join an exclusive club of Nigerian legends.
Bassey Breaks Through
After enduring a long wait of 1,456 minutes without finding the back of the net for Fulham, Bassey's persistence paid off in the 65th minute of the game.
Demonstrating his knack for being in the right place at the right time, Bassey capitalized on a loose ball from a corner kick, hammering it home on his second attempt and marking a memorable moment with his first Premier League goal.
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His contribution wasn't just limited to scoring; Bassey was instrumental in defence, tying with teammates Tosin Adarabioyo and Antonee Robinson for the most clearances (four) in the match. This defensive solidity helped Fulham secure a significant win on the road.
Shearer's Seal of Approval
Alan Shearer's selection of Bassey for the Premier League Team of the Week for matchday 26 underscores the defender's exceptional performance against one of the league's top teams.
Rashford, a key player for Manchester United, found little room to manoeuvre, ending the game with the lowest number of touches (28) among the starters.
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Shearer, in his explanation for choosing Bassey, succinctly captured the essence of his game-changing impact as reported by Allnigeriasoccer, "Scored his first Premier League goal and didn’t give Marcus Rashford a kick."
Further cementing his rising status, Bassey's impressive form isn't limited to club duty. The Super Eagles star shone brightly at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where he was central to Nigeria's defense, contributing to four consecutive clean sheets before a heart-wrenching late goal conceded in their semifinal against South Africa.
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