African Players in Europe: Kudus, Salah Score as Haller Makes Injury Return

• Mohammed Kudus was on target for West Ham vs Newcastle
• Mohamed Salah netted the winner in Liverpool's triumph
• Here is how African stars made headlines in major European leagues

Ghanaian superstar scored twice for West Ham in their 4-3 defeat to Newcastle United on Saturday, marking his seventh goal of the season as the Black Stars playmaker.

Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp praised Mohamed Salah's composure after his goal secured a 2-1 victory over Brighton in the Premier League, propelling Liverpool to the top of the table with nine matches left.

Liverpool currently leads Arsenal by two points and defending champions Manchester City by three points, but faces a tough challenge with three away matches in eight days during the run-in.

In Sports Brief, we highlight African headline-makers in the major European leagues.

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Football

ENGLAND

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Egypt's captain sent the Reds to the top with his second-half winner against Brighton. Klopp's side trailed to Danny Welbeck's second-minute goal at Anfield, but Salah's deflected header set up Luis Diaz for a volleyed equaliser before the interval.

After missing several chances, Salah sealed three priceless points for Liverpool when he calmly slotted home from Alexis Mac Allister's pass in the 65th minute. Salah's third goal in his last three games was his 22nd in all competitions this term.

Mohammed Kudus (West Ham)

The Ghana midfielder scored for the east London club in a dramatic 4-3 defeat at Newcastle. Kudus fired home from Jarrod Bowen's pass in the first half to put West Ham 2-1 ahead. But the Hammers eventually blew a two-goal lead as Newcastle's Harvey Barnes struck twice in the closing stages. Kudus was also less than impressed when one of the ball-boys at St James' Park refused to give up his stool to allow him to do his 'take-a-seat' celebration after scoring.

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Football

GERMANY

Serhou Guirassy (Stuttgart)

Guirassy scored the opener in Stuttgart's pulsating 3-3 Bundesliga draw with visiting Heidenheim, tapping in a cross from Angelo Stiller after 41 minutes. The goal was Guirassy's 23rd in 21 league games this season. The Guinea international has now scored in his past four matches. His tally is eight less than Bundesliga top scorer Harry Kane of Bayern Munich, but Guirassy has played six games fewer.

Sebastien Haller (Borussia Dortmund)

Haller returned from an ankle injury in Borussia Dortmund's 2-0 win at Bayern Munich. He came off the bench late, his first match for Dortmund since December and his first game since he scored the winner in Ivory Coast's 2-1 victory over Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations final in February. Nine minutes after coming on, the 29-year-old forward found Julian Ryerson in the box, and the Norwegian scored Dortmund's second goal to seal their first league win in Munich since 2014.

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Football

FRANCE

Mostafa Mohamed (Nantes)

The Egypt striker's late penalty gave struggling Nantes a 2-1 Ligue 1 win at Nice in their first game under new coach Antoine Kombouare. The goal was the eighth of the season for his club for Mohamed, who had an impressive Cup of Nations at the beginning of the year as Egypt went out in the last 16. The result lifted Nantes out of the bottom three in Ligue 1. Nigeria's Terem Moffi netted a penalty for Nice in the same game.

Joseph Okumu (Reims)

The 26-year-old Kenyan international central defender scored his first goal since moving to France from Belgian side Gent last year to put Reims ahead at Lyon. However, it was not enough to earn his side all three points as Ghana's Ernest Nuamah equalised at the other end to secure a 1-1 draw for Lyon.

Kudus reacts to players copying celebration

Sports Brief also reported that Ghanaian midfielder Mohammed Kudus reacted to players copying his famous 'have a seat' celebration.

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Football

The West Ham United star has become very popular for his iconic celebration, with players from different leagues mimicking his style whenever they score goals.

Kudus explains the celebration has no deeper meaning as he tries to catch his breath any time he hits the back of the net.