The City midfielder has played a key role in the team’s success, playing all but three league games. The Norwegian scored twice and racked up three assists as he helped Stromsgodset claim their first Eliteserien title in 43 years.
This week, Abdi completed 90 minutes in a stalemate with Tromso, and then started the 4-0 home win over Haugesand which secured the title victory, and capped off a successful loan spell for the City man.
Congratulations, Abdi!
What A Feeling!! My First Trophy As A Bro!!! Plenty More To Come!! :) pic.twitter.com/x312nsIpwE
— Abdisalam Ibrahim (@abi_bra) November 10, 2013
Elsewhere, Karim Rekik made his long-awaited return from injury against PEC Zwolle in the Eredivisie. The Dutch defender made a fantastic start to his loan career with PSV, and became an influential presence at centre-back before an ankle injury forced him to spend two months on the sidelines.
He managed 65 minutes in the 1-1 draw, and followed that up by playing 70 minutes in PSV’s 2-1 loss to NAC Breda at the weekend.
Back in England, EDS midfielder George Evans made his Football League debut for Crewe Alexandra in a stalemate with Bradford City, completing all 90 minutes of the fixture. After an impressive performance, an FA Cup debut followed, and the England youth international again played all 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw away to Wycombe.
Speaking before his debut, George told the Crewe Chronicle: “Patrick [Vieira] is a fantastic coach, what he says goes for me. James Milner has done a lot for me, Yaya Toure talks to me a lot in training and tells me what to do.
“You can just watch them and learn loads. Micah Richards and Joleon Lescott are good with me, Vince Kompany is the best pro, Fernandinho – all of them.
“They are good lads here (Crewe) too, it seems like a family club. They work hard every day and the training is very intense.
“I hope I can get straight in and improve the team, that’s what I am here to do.”
Buzzing to have made my League debut today and play the full 90 thought the fans were Excellent 🙏⚽ #CreweAlex pic.twitter.com/NU7M8P9AR2
— George Evans (@GeorgeEvans70) November 2, 2013
Harry Bunn netted a brace for Sheffield United u21s to help them to a morale-boosting 3-1 win over Barnsley in the South Yorkshire derby. The striker scored twice in five minutes to seal all three points for the Blades.
Defender Reece Wabara continues to enjoy life at Doncaster under City legend, Paul Dickov. Reece has been on the pitch for all 180 minutes of Rovers’ last two fixtures, although the Championship side continue to struggle.
After recording a 3-1 defeat to Brighton and playing out a stalemate with Barnsley, Doncaster find themselves hovering just one place above the relegation zone.
Goalless draws seem to be a recurring theme, with Gareth Barry’s Everton recording two in the league in the last two weeks, against Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace. Gareth continues to play an influential role in the Toffees’ midfield, completing the full 90 minutes in both games.
In League Two, Alex Henshall was an unused sub in the Pirates’ 1-0 win over Oxford, and was not involved in their 3-3 FA Cup thriller with York.
Scott Sinclair continues to struggle with a hamstring injury sustained at Old Trafford, and missed the clash with Crystal Palace, as well as the dramatic 2-2 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge at the weekend.
George Swan also remains on the sidelines after suffering a broken leg.
