Ighalo’s Title Dream Shattered

United, Newcastle Woe Continue, Gerrard Saves Liverpool

Liverpool’s English midfielder, Steven Gerrard, (second left) scores the winning goal during the Premiership match against QPR at Anfield, yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

Atdhe Nuhiu’s stoppage-time strike saw Sheffield Wednesday secure a dramatic draw against Watford to deny them the Championship title yesterday. Having secured promotion last week, the Hornets knew a win would see them claim their maiden Championship title.

Ighalo had played with Prime F.C. and Julius Berger FC before he left the country. He joined Watford on a season-long loan deal from Udinese in July 2014.

In the English Premier League, Manchester United sufferd home defeat to West Brom, just as Newcastle suffered an eighth consecutive loss and ended up with nine men in defeat against relegation rivals Leicester. Leonardo Ulloa headed the Foxes ahead after 38 seconds and it was 2-0 within 17 minutes as Wes Morgan poked home.

Captain Steven Gerrard grabbed a late winner for Liverpool against 10-man QPR to keep alive his side’s slim hopes of Champions League qualification. Gerrard, playing in his penultimate game at Anfield, headed past Rob Green in the 87th minute having missed a penalty with the score at 1-1.

Philippe Coutinho gave Liverpool the lead with a great strike before Leroy Fer volleyed in. Nedum Onuoha was shown a second yellow, before Gerrard’s winner from a corner.

The skipper, who joined Liverpool as a youth player in 1987 before becoming a professional in 1998, may have thought another chance to sign off with a goal at Anfield had gone, when Green guessed correctly to push away his spot-kick. But with just three minutes of normal time remaining, the midfielder rose highest to nod in Coutinho’s corner.

The 34-year-old, who is joining LA Galaxy, was then taken off to a standing ovation. Liverpool have one more home game remaining – it promises to be an emotional one for the Reds stalwart.