It was a mixed afternoon for Andrew Omobamidele against Leeds today, but it is certainly a game he won't forget.
Making only his second Premier League start (and first at Carrow Road), the 19-year old would be handed the difficult assignment of locking down Leeds talisman Raphinha on the left side of the back three for the 90 minutes.
He didn't quite manage it, with the Brazilian scoring the opening goal of the game and continually attacking the young defender. His strike was pure quality.
Raphinha has his goal!
📺 Watch Norwich City vs Leeds United live on Sky Sports pic.twitter.com/qYVm15GGTE— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 31, 2021
However, Omobamidele would have a goal of his own soon after.
It was a bullet header, guiding Milot Rashica's corner onto the underside of the crossbar and into the back of the net. It is the defender's first goal in senior football.
📊 At 19 years, 130 days, Andrew Omobamidele is Norwich’s 5th youngest scorer in PL - the youngest since Ryan Jarvis in Jan 2005 pic.twitter.com/AxBKLZoWnj
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) October 31, 2021
Unfortunately for Norwich City, Rodrigo would score the decisive goal of the contest a few minutes later to condemn the home side to a 2-1 defeat. They have now picked up only two points from their opening ten games this season.
While it was a mixed afternoon for Omobamidele, he no doubt would have learned a huge amount from this game.
Speaking on Sky Sports after the game, Jamie Redknapp said the Irishman can only improve from his experience this afternoon.
I was a bit critical of Omobamidele at halftime because I thought he could have done more against [Raphinha], but I was pleased for him when he scored this goal.
It was a tough game for him, really tough because he's normally a centre back. This is a brilliant leap and a great header, he wants to win the ball and shows tremendous desire.
I think from his point of view, go and look at the video now (of the game). Look at what it takes and the strengths and weaknesses, how to get better as a player.
He has obviously showed that he has got that desire. He showed a lot of quality and stuck at it, but it was a really hard game for him today.
Considering how poor Norwich have been this season, it would seem like a no-brainer to give Omobamidele more opportunities in the weeks ahead.
The Leixlip native has excelled at every level he has played at, including international football. There is no reason why that could not continue in the Premier League.
His goal today should give him the confidence to push on in the weeks and months ahead.
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