Quique Sanchez Flores hails Odion Ighalo after brace at Newcastle
Saturday 19 September 2015 19:10, UK
Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores was delighted striker Odion Ighalo decided to turn his back on summer offers after seeing him shoot down Newcastle.
The Nigeria international's first-half double condemned the Magpies to a 2-1 home defeat and an even longer wait for their first Premier League win of the season.
But after the Hornets had picked up their second successive win, Ighalo's manager was thrilled at not only his efforts, both those of his entire team.
"He took a decision two months ago to stay here at Watford - he had offers from other teams," Flores said.
"He decided to stay here with us, so it's clever because he saw something in the football that is good for him.
"He is involved a lot with the team in training during the week, so for us, he is a very important player.
"But I like to talk about the full squad because they are fighting like heroes every single week, they are playing really, really well. They try to improve every time and give the best they have, so it's not only one man.
"It was nice for Ighalo, but it was a very good performance from the whole squad."
Ighalo took the game away from Newcastle within 28 minutes of the kick-off when he capitalised on some woeful defending to put Watford ahead after just 10 minutes before effectively sealing the win.
Daryl Janmaat gave the Magpies hope when he pulled one back with 28 minutes remaining - and he tested goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes with a 67th-minute piledriver.
It was the Magpies' first league goal in 464 minutes of football - but it was not enough to prevent them extending a desperate record of just one win in 17 outings dating back to last season.
Flores was by far the happier man as he headed south with the three points.
He said: "I am really happy with the performance of the players. I think we deserved the result.
"We respect Newcastle - they tried to play well, strong and tried to give their best, but I am really happy with the performance."
