Nigerian international and Watford FC striker, Odion Jude Ighalo, scored a scored a sublime goal at the Goodison Park against Everton on his Barclays Premier League debut on Saturday.
The game had stood at 1-1 with Everton pressing to increase the tally when Ighalo was introduced for his first top flight action and with seven minutes to play, the Super Eagles’ striker fired the Hornets’ back into lead after some nifty footwork on the edge of the box, before Ivorian forward, Arouna Kone, equalized in the dying minutes to prevent Ighalo and Watford from picking a memorable three points on its first premier league game.
Ighalo, who netted 20 goals last term in the English Championship with 36 attempts at goal to help Watford secure promotion to the English top flight, started on the bench as new coach Quique Flores preferred a one-man attack of Troy Deeney supported by the Spaniard Jurado.
When his moment came towards the end of the game, Ighalo broke with the ball in front of Everton’s area but instead of opting to pass wide, the 26-year-old then took the ball feigned inside of Chelsea target John Stones before angling the ball into the bottom corner past Howard to restore Watford’s lead.
An elated Ighalo disclosed afterwards that he was ready to make his mark at the top level. His words: “It was a great feeling, As a striker I want to keep scoring goals. I did it last season in the Championship and I think by God’s grace I can do it. I have to take it step by step. It’s not going to be easy as the Premiership is a little more difficult than the Championship but I think if I keep on working then I can get more goals in the league.”
By Olisemeka Obeche
[divider]