Alex Iwobi produced an outstanding creative performance as Fulham drew 1–1 with Manchester United at Craven Cottage.

The Nigerian recorded 0.41 xA, two big chances created and five key passes in only 71 minutes — while remarkably completing all 38 of his passes.

Behind him, Calvin Bassey earned a 7.2 rating after producing eight defensive contributions and seven recoveries.

Manchester United's Bryan Mbeumo earned a 6.8 rating, generating 0.27 xG, 0.25 xA and five shots.

Iwobi created. Bassey defended. Mbeumo threatened.

Match Information

Competition: Premier League
Round: 5
Date: 20 September 2026
Venue: Craven Cottage, London
Result: Fulham 1–1 Manchester United

African Performance Board

Iwobi 🇳🇬 — Fulham's Creative Hub

Iwobi's 7.3 rating was built around chance creation rather than goals or assists.

0.41 xA | 2 big chances created | 5 key passes

Those figures came in only 71 minutes.

Iwobi also generated 0.19 xG, taking two shots and putting one on target.

He therefore accumulated 0.60 combined xG + xA, demonstrating that his influence extended beyond simply circulating possession.

Perfect Passing With Purpose

The most striking number may be Iwobi's passing:

38/38 passes — 100%

That included:

24/24 in Manchester United's half | 14/14 in Fulham's half

Perfect passing can sometimes reflect conservative possession, but Iwobi's creative numbers provide the necessary context.

He was not simply retaining the ball.

Five key passes and two big chances created show that the accuracy was accompanied by penetration.

Iwobi also recorded:

2 progressive carries | 72.8m total progression | 41.6m progressive carrying distance

His longest progressive carry travelled 26.5m.

That combination of perfect distribution and chance creation made him Fulham's principal creative influence.

Bassey 🇳🇬 — Defensive Authority

Bassey's 7.2 rating came from a very different performance.

8 defensive contributions | 7 recoveries | 4 clearances | 1 interception | 1 blocked shot

He also won 4/5 ground duels.

Bassey's physical performance was equally strong:

10.4km covered | 10 sprints | 33.5 km/h top speed

His recovery speed and defensive activity gave Fulham stability behind Iwobi's attacking work.

Bassey also contributed significantly in possession, completing:

56/62 passes — 90%

including 35/36 in his own half and 21/26 in United's half.

His progression numbers were:

1 progressive carry | 66.3m total progression | 18.8m progressive carrying distance

This was a strong combination of defending and secure build-up play.

Mbeumo 🇨🇲 — Threat Without the Final Reward

Mbeumo's 6.8 rating is interesting when placed alongside his underlying attacking numbers.

He generated:

0.27 xG | 0.25 xA | 1 big chance created | 3 key passes

That represents 0.52 combined xG + xA.

He also attempted five shots, although only one reached the target, producing 0.51 xGOT.

Like Iwobi, Mbeumo was perfect in possession:

38/38 passes — 100%

Remarkably, 31/31 were completed in Fulham's half.

The difference was end product. Despite his attacking involvement, Mbeumo finished without a goal or assist.

Mbeumo's Physical Threat

The Cameroon international produced the strongest speed numbers among the three African players:

17 sprints | 34.6 km/h top speed

He covered 10.0km, including 0.62km of high-speed running and 0.37km sprinting.

In possession:

18 carries | 2 progressive carries | 60.9m total progression | 28.4m progressive carrying distance

He also completed 2/5 dribbles.

The data explains why Mbeumo remained threatening despite the 6.8 rating: he consistently entered attacking situations, but did not turn them into a decisive contribution.

Three Different Routes to Influence

The contrast is clear.

Iwobi supplied creativity.

Bassey supplied defensive stability.

Mbeumo supplied attacking volume and physical threat.

Deduction Verdict

🥇 Alex Iwobi 🇳🇬 — 7.3

Iwobi was the highest-rated African player at Craven Cottage, narrowly ahead of Bassey's 7.2.

0.41 xA | 2 big chances created | 5 key passes | 38/38 passes

Completing every pass is impressive.

Completing every pass while producing five key passes and two big chances is considerably more meaningful.

Bassey's eight defensive contributions, seven recoveries, 4/5 ground duels and 90% passing provided the defensive platform.

Mbeumo's 6.8 rating does not fully capture the volume of his attacking involvement. He produced 0.27 xG, 0.25 xA, three key passes, a big chance created and five shots, but lacked the decisive final action.

Iwobi created. Bassey stabilised. Mbeumo threatened — but Fulham's Nigerian pair produced the stronger ratings.

Final Score

Fulham 1–1 Manchester United

African Player Ratings

🥇 🇳🇬 Alex Iwobi — 7.3
🥈 🇳🇬 Calvin Bassey — 7.2
🥉 🇨🇲 Bryan Mbeumo — 6.8

Deduction African Player of the Match

Alex Iwobi 🇳🇬 — 7.3

Deduction Key Metrics

Iwobi: 0.41 xA | 2 big chances created | 5 key passes | 38/38 passes

Bassey: 8 defensive contributions | 7 recoveries | 4/5 ground duels | 90% passing

Mbeumo: 0.27 xG | 0.25 xA | 3 key passes | 5 shots | 17 sprints

Iwobi's perfect passing was not passive possession — five key passes and two big chances created made it creative and dangerous.

Deduction Football Intelligence — Tracking African Players Across the Globe.