Ighalo’s brace sinks Liverpool

Nifemi Daniel

Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo, scored twice as a buoyant Watford won 3-0 at home to Liverpool on Sunday to consolidate their seventh position in the Premier League.

Watford got off to an early start in this game, taking advantage of what should have been an easy catch of a Watford corner kick. Instead, Liverpool keeper, Adam Bogdan spilled it and young Chelsea loanee, Nathan Aké poked the loose ball in to the back of the net.

Liverpool didn’t respond well, allowing Watford to muddle up the middle of the pitch and cause Liverpool to not have much of the run of play. It was that strategy that led to the second goal, as Troy Deeney pressured and forced a turnover in the middle of the pitch.

He took one look and sprung a pass up field to a sprinting Odion Ighalo, who proceeded to dust off a physical challenge from the already beaten Martin Skrtel and volley one to the opposite post. It was 2-0 in the 16th minute and Liverpool looked like a side with little clue as to what hit them.

Read also: Ighalo not for sale, Watford coach insists

The home side didn’t let up much in the second half, even with tactical changes and subs being used by Liverpool. Watford keeper Heurelho Gomes was tested a few times, but was up to the task each time, and the Hornets sealed full points thanks to Ighalo’s work rate once again late in the contest.

Up 2-0 in the 85th minute, Watford had a spell of possession that ended with a brilliant cross to a wide-open Ighalo on the doorstep. It was an easy finish with the head for a 3-0 lead and the closing of Liverpool’s dying comeback hopes.

It all added up to a Watford side sitting just one point out of the European spots and continuing to put pressure on sides like Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur above it in the table.

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