Super Eagles' Emmanuel Dennis of Watford FC
Watford’s ‘Nigeria FC’ dazzle in EPL opening week
Opening week of the English Premier League (EPL) did not end without the usual drama and shock which characteristically trail its football, as two of the three new-promoted clubs, Watford, Brentford secured victories against much-established sides at home.
Only Norwich failed to win a tough fixture against Liverpool at home, which is not a surprise.
Watford’s duo of Nigeria internationals, Oghenekaro Peter Etebo, Emmanuel Dennis could not have wished for a better start to the EPL season having each played their part in an impressive opening day victory against much-fancied last season’s 11th place finishers, Aston Villa.
With Dennis opening the scoring in the 10th minute, Watford were terrific for the most part and led 3-0 at one stage.
Dennis was also named Watford Man of the Match in the 3-2 home win against Aston Villa.
The London club, Watford is also fondly called ‘Nigeria FC’ due to the high number of Nigerian players in the squad, with three of them in the Super Eagles starting eleven, namely; Oghenekaro Etebo, Emmanuel (Bonaventure) Dennis, William Troost-Ekong, Tom Dele-Bashiru, Isaac Success, Dapo Mebude.
“Watford FC is gradually becoming a Super Eagles camp,” once said Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Amaju Pinnick.
“I told Mr Giaretta (Watford Director) that we have six players at Watford FC now and three of them are regular Super Eagles teamers and therefore, we need to forge a stronger relationship with the club.”
Alex Iwobi provided an assist as Everton came from a goal down to beat Southampton 3-1.
Iwobi who came on in the 70th minute laid the ball for Abdoulaye Doucoure in the 76th minute to put Everton 2-1.
And at the King Power stadium, Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho featured for Leicester who beat Wolves 1-0.
Earlier on Friday, another Nigerian, Frank Onyeka, helped his side Brentford at home to shock last season’s 8th place finishers with a 2:0 thumping.
Full Premier League Week 1 results
(Friday)
Brentford 2 Arsenal 0
(Saturday)
Manchester United 5 Leeds 1
Burnley 1 Brighton 2
Chelsea 3 C Palace 0
Everton 3 Southampton 1
Leicester 1 Wolves 0
Watford 3 Aston Villa 2
Norwich 0 Liverpool 3
(Sunday)
Tottenham 1 Manchester City 0
Newcastle 2 West Ham 4
