Martins, Ameobi Become Europa League Heroes

Obafemi Martins and Shola Ameobi were the heroes of the night as their goals helped qualify both Levante and Newcastle United for the next round of the Europa League.

Martins put Levante ahead against Olympiakos in the ninth minute as the Spanish side held unto their lead to record a 4-0 aggregate win over the Greek heavyweights, having won the first leg encounter in Spain 3-0, in Martins was also on the scoresheet.

Ameobi also got his name on the scoresheet as he converted from the spot in the 64th minute to help Newcastle advance 1-0 on aggregate, at the expense of Ukraine’s Metalist Kharkiv.

John Mikel Obi and Victor Moses also saw 90 minutes of action for Chelsea as Eden Hazard’s late goal ensured Chelsea drew 1-1 with Sparta Prague to progress 2-1 on aggregate.

In other games, Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo was on from start to finish as Fenerbache recorded a 1-0 BATE Borisov to progress with a 1-0 aggregate scoreline, while Ogenyi Onazi saw 21 minutes of action as he came off the bench as Lazio beat Borussia Monchengladbach 2-0 to progress 5-3 on aggregate.

Kim Ojo came on as a 77th minute substitute as Genk lost 2-0 at home to VFB Stuttgart, while Lukman Haruna and Taye Taiwo played for the duration of Dynamo Kiev’s 1-1 draw with Bordeaux. Brown Ideye came on in the 46th minute, but could not stop his team from crashing out 2-1 on aggregate.