The best and worst of African players abroad

Hakim Ziyech had a big say in Chelsea’s huge FA Cup win over Manchester City, ending Pep Guardiola’s dream of an unprecedented quadruple.

In Serie A, Musa Barrow continued his fine run of form since the start of February as Bologna thrashed Spezia on Sunday afternoon.

Too Good: Romain Saiss

Wolverhampton Wanderers’ 1-0 win over Sheffield United saw the latter relegated from the Premier League, and Saiss’ defensive performance was top class.

The centre-back’s no-nonsense defending saw him make seven clearances as well as three tackles and his dominance in duels saw him win all but one of his 13 tussles, with a 100 percent success rate in aerial duels.

Wolves have now kept successive clean sheets in the league for the first time since October.

Too Bad: Serge Aurier

Tottenham Hotspur’s 2-2 draw at Everton was another blow in their top four hopes as their winless run now extends to three games.

Aurier had an appalling game on the night, typified by his inability to come out on top on many one-v-one battles, losing 11 of 15 total duels at Goodison Park, and his constant giving away of possession.

Spurs remain five points adrift of West Ham United in fourth, but Chelsea could move into the final Champions League spot if they beat Brighton & Hove Albion on Tuesday.

Too Good: Musa Barrow

The Gambia forward netted and assisted as Bologna beat Spezia 4-1 on Sunday, a result that saw the former remain in 11th spot in Serie A.

Barrow has been involved in nine goals since the start of February, taking his domestic tally to seven goals and eight assists, supplanting his previous best (nine goals and four assists) in 2019/20.

The win saw Bologna end their two-game losing run to return to winning ways in Serie A.

Too Bad: Youssef En-Nesyri

While En-Nesyri was the match-winner when Sevilla beat Real Sociedad 2-1 on Sunday afternoon, the forward’s profligate finishing could have cost the Andalusians a win.

The Morocco forward missed no less than four clear-cut chances in San Sebastian, but the misses didn’t prove costly to the visitors who picked up their fifth win in six games and three on the trot.

Sevilla are six points behind league leaders Atletico Madrid and still have an outside chance of winning La Liga if the three teams above them drop points in the run-in.

Too Good: Hakim Ziyech

Having been out of Thomas Tuchel’s XI since the shock 5-2 defeat by West Bromwich Albion, Ziyech returned to the Chelsea squad for their FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City.

The Morocco playmaker rewarded his manager’s faith in him by scoring the only goal in the 1-0 success, his second goal in the competition this season.

Tuchel’s team will play Leicester City in the final after the Foxes beat Southampton 1-0 on Sunday evening.