Football
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Africans in Europe: Weekend Review

KweséESPN reviews the performances of Africa's stars in Europe's five major leagues this weekend.

ENGLAND

Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane had already done enough this season to suggest that Liverpool's attacking force will again be a force to be reckoned with this term, but against Arsenal, the duo demonstrated the kind of verve and killer instinct that offered hope for a title challenge.

Both found the net in the Reds' 4-0 victory, while Joel Matip also featured in the heart of the defence as Jurgen Klopp's side preserved a second consecutive clean sheet.

Benik Afobe and Lys Mousset came off the bench as Bournemouth were beaten by a sucker punch from Manchester City's Raheem Sterling, while Eric Bailly and Manchester United remain atop the table after two late goals downed a Leicester City side featuring Riyad Mahrez, Wilfred Ndidi and Islam Slimani.

At Stamford Bridge, Victor Moses was replaced 89 minutes into Chelsea's 2-0 triumph over Everton, where Idrissa Gueye largely struggled to contain a returning Cesc Fabregas.

One of the best African performances of the weekend came at Crystal Palace, while Tammy Abraham broke his duck for Swansea City before Jordan Ayew added the second in a 2-0 victory.

FRANCE

Newly promoted Amiens secured the result of the weekend as their 'Double K' strikeforce terrorised OGC Nice as the minnows ran out 3-0 victors.

Former Chelsea wonderkid Gael Kakuta opened the scoring after 15 minutes before Moussa Konata struck twice - once in each half. By contrast, Alassane Plea was wholly ineffective leading the line for the visitors.

In the big match of the weekend, Adama Diakhaby found the net for AS Monaco, adding their fourth in a 6-1 demolition of Marseille at the Stade Louis II, with Africa Cup of Nations-winner Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa coming off the bench for OM.

Presnel Kimbembe successfully neutralised Jonathan Bamba in Paris Saint-Germain's 2-0 victory over Saint-Etienne on Friday evening, and Younousse Sankhare was again Bordeaux's hero, striking the winner in a 2-1 victory over Troyes.

Elsewhere, Firmin Mubele, Issa Diop, Giovanni Sio, Moustapha Diallo and Lassana Coulibaly were all also on the scoresheet.

ITALY

Reigning champions Juventus extended their 100 percent record with a 4-2 victory at Genoa, but it was a victory not without some drama, as the home side - with Adel Taarabt on the left side of a front three - took a 2-0 lead after seven minutes.

Newly renovated AC Milan also made it two wins out of two with a 2-1 triumph over Cagliari, although Franck Kessie was far from his dominant best in the midfield.

Perhaps Africa's star performer of the weekend was Ghana's Godfred Donsah, as he struck a second-half winner as Bologna won 1-0 away at Benevento, although Kalidou Koulibaly, Amadou Diawara and the impressive Faouzi Ghoulam all featured in Napoli's 3-1 victory over Atalanta.

SPAIN

Ryad Boudebouz's transfer to Real Betis has been one of the biggest African deals of the summer, but it was another one of the continent's new boys in Andalusia - Zou Feddal - who was the hero on Friday evening.

The Morocco defender scored a 77th-minute winner as Betis came from behind to beat Celta Vigo 2-1 at home, bouncing back from last weekend's defeat at Barcelona.

Getafe may have fallen to a 1-0 home defeat by Sevilla, but in Faycal Fajr - another Moroccan - they boast the division's most accurate crosser so far this term.

Elsewhere, Thomas Partey started in the centre of midfield and nabbed Atletico Madrid's fifth in their 5-1 rout away at Las Palmas. The Ghana international's strike equals his La Liga goal return for the entirety of the last campaign!

Finally, another Black Star endured poorer fortunes, as Wakaso Mubarak picked up a customary yellow card - and was substituted - in Deportivo Alaves' 2-0 home defeat by a Lionel Messi-inspired Barcelona.

Wakaso picked up six bookings in 11 La Liga outings on loan at Granada last season, and already has two in two this term.

GERMANY

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang continues to deliver the kind of performances that may well remind potential suitors of the world-class striker that remains - apparently - available for a move this summer.

The Gabon international opened the scoring after 15 minutes as Borussia Dortmund downed Salomon Kalou's Hertha Berlin 2-0.

RasenBallsport Leipzig responded well after their opening defeat by Schalke 04 with a 4-1 victory over Freiburg, with Naby Keita - another player linked with an exit this summer - delivered the kind of performance that saw his stock rise last term.

Guinea-Bissan duo Dayot Upamecano and Bruma were also in action for Ralph Hasenhuttl's side.

Kevin-Prince Boateng made his first league start for Eintracht Frankfurt - leading the line - but drew a blank as his new club were defeated 1-0 at home by Wolfsburg, for whom Marcel Tisserand delivered an outstanding display.

Elsewhere, despite Ludovic Sane's best efforts, Werder Bremen were defeated 2-0 at home by Bayern Munich.

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