TheCable

Nigerian striker, Odion Ighalo, has been named as the English Premier League player of the month.

Ighalo was awarded alongside Quique Flores, who was also named manager of the month, for his side’s remarkable performance throughout the month of December.

Flores’ side took 10 points from five fixtures to finish the calendar year strongly, recording victories over Norwich, Sunderland and Liverpool.

Ighalo was the star for his team, netting five times, including a brace in the 3-0 win over the Reds at Vicarage Road.

A hard-earned draw at Stamford Bridge followed four wins in a row, which included victory at Aston Villa at the end of November, before Watford finished the year with a last-minute loss at home to Spurs.

Year 2016 has however not been too good for the Hornets, as they lost back-to-back to Manchester City and Southampton, yet keeping their spot in the league’s top half of the table.

The new comers are 11 points clear of Sunderland who occupy the final relegation place, and just seven points behind Spurs who sit at the fourth place.

Flores, Ighalo and the rest of the team face Swansea on Monday evening, hoping to find their December form and return to winning ways.

Ighalo joins Osaze Odeminwigie and Jay Jay Okocha as the only Nigerians to be so awarded.