Nigeria stars in the English Premier League endured contrasting fortunes on Saturday when they lined-up for their respective teams.
Watford striker, Odion Ighalo, continued his goalscoring exploits after he notched his ninth league goal of the season in his side’s 2-0 win over Norwich City at Vicarage Road.
The 26-year-old doubled the Hornets lead in second half stoppage time – a reward for his sparkling performance in the game, bursting through a ragged visiting defence to coolly slot home.
Ighalo, who had a goal wrongfully disallowed in the first half, was instrumental in his team’s first goal.
His powerful run into the box in the 30th minute was unfairly halted by Alexander Tetty, with skipper, Troy Deeney converting for the first.
An excited Watford boss, Quique Sanchez Flores, hailed his Nigerian import whose ninth goal led his team to their ninth league win taking them to ninth on the log.
“Odion Ighalo is not just scoring goals but he is also supporting the offensive system with Troy Deeney and is creating chances too,” Flores told BBC.
Just when his compatriot was banging in the goals, Victor Moses was having a torrid time in West Ham’s goalless draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The player was forced off in the 37th minute with an injury, holding the back of his leg, potentially adding to the Hammers’ length casualty list.
Moses, who has been ever present since his loan move from Chelsea, will undergo a scan to determine the extent of the injury.
His manager, Slaven Bilic, said: “We have to wait for a scan on Victor. It is painful to be without so many key players. But we replaced them today and deserved a point.”
In the lunch hour kick-off, youngster, Kelechi Iheanacho was a second half replacement for fellow African, Wilfred Bony.
The 19-year-old lasted 35 minutes but could do little as Stoke City defeated City 2-0 at the Britannia.
John Obi Mikel was an unused substitute as Premier League champions, Chelsea fell 0-1 to newly promoted Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge.
