Odion Ighalo, sandwiched by Sunderland players, scores again

Nigeria’s Odion Ighalo’s 10th Barclays Premier League goal of the season proved decisive as Watford made the most of a breathtaking start at the Stadium of Light to beat Sunderland 1-0.

The Nigeria striker proved a nuisance throughout, with his ability on the ball troubling the Sunderland defence, but it was his clever movement in the fourth minute which made the difference as he turned in Allan Nyom’s low cross.

Ighalo, who became the first player to reach double figures in a single Barclays Premier League season for the club, almost had another shortly after but saw his attempt cleared off the line just a few seconds before a post denied Jose Manuel Jurado.

Sunderland managed to gain some composure as the first period progressed and started the second half on top, putting the Hornets under significant pressure.

That superiority ultimately came to little, though, as Watford defended excellently and sought opportunities on the counter-attack, holding out for all three points to edge towards the top five.