Tella, Ejuke score stunners in big victories

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Nigerian duo Nathan Tella and Chidera Ejuke scored stunning goals to inspire big victories for their respective clubs, Bayer Leverkusen and Sevilla, in matches played on Saturday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

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Tella came off the bench to open his season account as Leverkusen thrashed Wehen Wiesbaden 4-0 in the first round of the DFB Pokal. The Super Eagles winger was introduced in the 65th minute and needed just four minutes to find the net, extending his side’s lead to 3-0 before Christian Kofane completed the scoring 10 minutes later.

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Patrik Schick had earlier broken the deadlock for Leverkusen in the 43rd minute, before Lucas Vazquez doubled the advantage two minutes into the second half.

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Fellow Nigerian, Victor Boniface, remained an unused substitute throughout the encounter.

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Leverkusen will now turn their attention to the Bundesliga, where they begin their league campaign away to Elversberg on Saturday, August 29.

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In Spain, Ejuke marked his return to the Sevilla fold with a spectacular chip over Spain international Unai Simón, as the Andalusian side beat 10-man Athletic Club 3-1 at San Mamés to move top of LaLiga with a perfect six points from two matches.

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The 28-year-old winger had been on the verge of an exit to Belgian side Anderlecht just days before the match, after being left out of the final leg of Sevilla’s pre-season tour amid wage negotiations.

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However, a breakdown in talks and Sevilla’s failed pursuit of Real Zaragoza’s Adrian Liso prompted the club to reinstate him.

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Athletic Club were reduced to 10 men in the 11th minute when Yuri Berchiche was sent off for bringing down Miguel Sierra, and Oso capitalised four minutes later to give Sevilla the lead.

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Ejuke, introduced at half-time, doubled the advantage in the 50th minute before Isaac Romero made it three. Aitor Paredes pulled a late goal back for the hosts, but it proved a mere consolation.

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