IGHALO WINS EPL PLAYER OF THE MONTH

Super Eagles of Nigeria and Watford FC striker Odion Ighalo has won the Premier League player of the month of December.

Ighalo won the award alongside his manager Quique Sanchez Flores who was named Premier League manager for the month of December.

Ighalo scored a total of  five goals in the month, including two in the Vicarage Road win over Liverpool, to take his tally for the season to 13, tied for third in the Premier League behind Romelu Lukaku and Jamie Vardy.

A happy Ighalo said:

It was a great month for me, but not me alone, for the team as well. We really worked hard and got as many points as we could get. It’s very good for us and we want to keep going.
When the gaffer took over he really told us what he wanted, and I worked hard in pre-season. I knew the step up from the Championship to the Premier League would be difficult because I was going to meet more experienced defenders and big teams, so I have put a lot of work in, and that has been paying off.
I am a Watford player. I have a five-year contract, I am happy and the fans love me. I am enjoying my football here and I am not in a hurry to go anywhere.

Watford won their first three games in the month to climb the table and only lost their unbeaten record just after Christmas when they were beaten 2-1 by Tottenham, a result that came after a memorable 3-0 win over Liverpool and a fine 2-2 draw at Chelsea.

The Hornets have since dropped to 10th on the back of three successive defeats, but coach Sanchez Flores is honored to be the first manager to claim the prize in the club’s history.

He said:

It’s a big honor for me and I am really pleased.
This is for all the staff who are working with me and for the players of course. Without them it is impossible to get this award.
This is also for the fans. They have supported the team a lot. This is all a new experience for me, I am new in the Premier League, but this month has been very special.

Ighalo beat the likes of Mezut Ozil (Arsenal), Dele Alli (Tottenham), Marko Arnautovic (Stoke City), Romelu Lukaku (Everton) and Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City) to the award. Ighalo clinched the award for the first time having being shortlisted three times in five months.