Nigerian international scores again, but couldn’t prevent Watford from losing

Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo was on song again for Watford as they lost their Premier League home game to Tottenham on Monday, December 28.

Ighalo scored his 14th league goal of the season and his 30th of 2015 in the 41st minute to level for Watford after Erik Lamela had fired Spurs into an early lead.

Spurs were excellent in their set-up as Pochettino set up his team with three central defenders and wing-backs, a decision which was a compliment to the prolific strike duo of TroyDeeney and Ighalo.

Watford midfielder had no time on the ball as they were disturbed by the industry and energy of Harry Kane and Dele Alli forcing errors and rattling the centre-halves and deep midfielders.

Ighalo and Deeney found chances few and far between before Ighalo scored out of nothing, four minutes before half-time.

Deeney flicked a high ball to Ighalo, who gathered it with his back to goal, smuggled it past Eric Dier on the turn and poked a shot low under goalkeeper Hugo Lloris from close range.

It took his Premier League tally for the season to 14, and his league goals to 30 in 2015, more than anyone else in the top four divisions of English football.

Spurs were on top when Watford were reduced to 10 men, following Ake's rash tackle on Lamela.

The Dutch defender, on loan from Chelsea, was shocked by the decision but the challenge was knee-high and late and in clear view of referee Anthony Taylor.

Spurs found the winner through substitute Son Heung-min in the 89th minute.

The forward converted a skilful flick at the near-post from a cross by Kieran Trippier but the goal should have been ruled offside.

It wasn’t and Ighalo’s Watford lost their first match in six games.