Southampton 1-2 Everton: Iwobi celebrates Independence Day win over Aribo

Alex Iwobi had the last laugh after the Independence Day Premier League clash against his compatriot, Joe Aribo.

An eight-minute goal frenzy saw Everton come from behind to claim all three points at St Mary’s to pile the pressure on Ralph Hasenhüttl.

After a dull first-half, Joe Aribo opened the scoring only a few minutes after the second-half began, but Everton then upped the gears as two new signings combined for their equaliser — Andre Onana headed the ball across to Conor Coady who finished smartly.

A matter of seconds later, Frank Lampard’s side found another goal and turned the game on its head — Alex Iwobi put a speculative ball into the back post but Dwight McNeil finished well to send the blue section of the stadium into pandemonium. 

Happy Independence Day, Nigeria! ???????? ???? pic.twitter.com/36JOj2sG92

— Everton (@Everton) October 1, 2022

The result means that  Hasenhüttl's side have only picked up seven points from eight games, while Everton have gained a bit of breathing space after back to back wins in the Premier League.

Delighted to have helped his team to another crucial victory, Iwobi, who bagged an assist in Saturday’s win over the Saints, said there was no better way he would be wished to celebrate Independence Day.

“Happy Nigerian Independence Day My Peoples, No Better Way To Enjoy The Day!” Iwobi wrote on his Twitter handle with accompanying celebration pictures from Saturday’s victorious outing.

Meanwhile, Everton legend, Trevor Steven, feels the current form of  Iwobi epitomises the spirit now running inside the club.

The Nigeria midfielder is playing the best football of his Goodison career this season.

Steven told the Liverpool Echo: “A great working environment changes people’s performance and I would highlight someone on this, Alex Iwobi. He had to struggle and struggle and struggle to find his game because we had an unstable environment and a disconnect.

“Now we’ve got a togetherness and the lad looks like a different player. He’s been a shining example of someone who could see that if he got it right here, this is some place to be.

“He’s stuck at it, ridden the hurdles and now he sets his own bar when it comes to standards. He’s also got the ability to go with it and that’s what I see as an example of fundamental changes.”