Super Eagles striker Akor Adams played a central role in Sevilla’s dramatic fightback from two goals down against Real Betis in Sunday’s El Gran Derbi at the Estadio La Cartuja, Footynaija.com reports.
Former Manchester United winger Antony put Betis ahead in the 16th minute, and Alvaro Fidalgo added a second before the break, leaving acting manager Javi Martinez facing a two-goal mountain at halftime with his side passive and toothless in attack.
Adams had worked tirelessly, testing goalkeeper Alvaro Valles with a long-range effort and firing another attempt just wide, but Sevilla as a team were going nowhere.
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The changes Martinez made at half time changed everything. Chidera Ejuke came on alongside Spanish full-back Joaquin Oso, and Sevilla suddenly had pace and width they were missing.
Alexis Sanchez pulled one back in the 62nd minute with a header from Oso’s cross, and substitute Isaac Romero completed the comeback in the 85th minute to snatch a 2-2 draw.
How Akor Adams hurts Betis
Assistant coach Javi Martinez points to Nigerian striker Akor Adams as one of the key reasons the game turned.
“In the second half, from the start, down both wings and sometimes with Akor Adams in the central channel, we managed to create more danger,” Martinez said via Futbol Fantasy.
“That also led the opponent to take a step back, made the opponent doubt themselves and us gain more confidence.”
Adams nearly won it in stoppage time, only for his goal-bound effort to be cleared off the line by Diego Llorente. The Benue-born striker now has six goals and four assists for the season.
