Chelsea stars past and present including Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ola Aina, Tammy Abraham and Tariq Uwakwe, and Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Joe Hart have congratulated Ike Ugbo on scoring the winning goal for the European champions in a 2-1 victory over Bournemouth on Tuesday night.
Ugbo is training with Chelsea’s first team, not the loan army as it used to be the case in previous pre-seasons, as manager Thomas Tuchel is without some of his players who were involved in the European Championship and Copa America this summer.
The Super Eagles hopeful has been involved in all the pre-season matches, both official and training games, this month, including the win against Peterborough United and the in-house contest that ended in a draw.
On as a substitute in the 63rd minute as a replacement for Tammy Abraham, Ugbo scored what proved to be the game-winning goal when he nodded in a brilliant delivery from Ross Barkley with fourteen minutes left on the clock.
Ugbo took to Instagram to post a photo of himself celebrating his goal against the Cherries.
Meanwhile, Arsenal continued their pre-season preparations with a 4-1 victory against Premier League new boys Watford at London Colney on Wednesday afternoon. The friendly was hastily arranged after the Gunners cancelled their pre-season trip to the United States for the Florida Cup.
For the first time in pre-season, young Nigeria-eligible goalkeeper, Arthur Okonkwo, was not involved and watched the game from the sidelines. Manager Mikel Arteta handed a start to Bernd Leno with Rúnar Alex Rúnarsson named on the substitutes bench.
Wearing the number 4 at the back of his jersey, Watford’s Nigeria international Oghenekaro Etebo started and was in action for 65 minutes before making way for Wise, while Emmanuel Dennis played only the first half.
Hornets quartet, William Troost-Ekong, Dapo Mebude, Isaac Success and Tom Dele-Basiru, were not in the squad.
Arsenal broke the deadlock inside sixteen minutes when Eddie Nketiah beat the Watford goalkeeper with a curling shot but it was level at the break as Philip Zinckernagel found the back of the net after his initial effort was blocked.
Alexandre Lacazette made it 2-1 from the spot at minute 70 before Kieran Tierney converted from close range in the 77th minute.
Anglo-Nigerian midfielder Miguel Azeez, on as a substitute in the 64th minute, scored the pick of the goals with a brilliant long range shot that beat goalkeeper Elliot in the 86th minute.
Arsenal are next in action on Sunday, August 1, when they host Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium.