Premier League Fans’ Top 5: Watford ace Ighalo on fire, Jerome on target

Sport360 staff 16:14 23/12/2015
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  • Each week, Sport360 will be bring you the best five players from the past week’s Premier League matches, as chosen by you the supporters through our ValoraFutbol fan ratings tool.

    YOU have direct influence on who appears in each Top Five so be sure to rate each weekend.

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    Do you agree with this week’s Top Five? Have your say by using our Valora Futbol tool or on Twitter using #360Fans. ​

    1) ODION IGHALO (WATFORD) – 8.55

    The Nigerian star just cannot stop scoring. Ighalo netted a brace in the Hornets’ impressive 3-0 trouncing of Liverpool on home soil – taking his tally to 12 goals in the Premier League so far this season. Alongside partner in crime Troy Deeney up top, who himself has found the back of the net on five occasions, the strike duo have created more chances than any other pairing this season. The 26-year-old showed brute strength for his first goal of the afternoon, scoring in off the post from a tight angle after brushing off a Liverpool challenge. Ighalo then headed in his second and Watford’s third late on to help the London side up to seventh spot in the table.

    2) CAMERON JEROME (NORWICH CITY) – 8.25

    The powerful forward made amends for his guilt-edged open goal miss against Everton the week prior by netting the opening goal in the Canaries’ stunning 2-1 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Jerome piled more misery onto Louis van Gaal’s men and proved to be a constant threat up front, bossing central defensive pair Chris Smalling and Phil Jones. It was the kind of performance Norwich have been hoping for from the 29-year-old, who was such a pivotal star in last season’s promotion-winning campaign. If the former Birmingham and Stoke striker can continue to chip in with vital goals and prove to be a real handful up top, then Norwich’s survival hopes increase tenfold.

    3) RIYAD MAHREZ (LEICESTER CITY) – 7.65

    The Algerian has without doubt been one of the stars of the season so far and is a regular in our Valora Futbol Premier League Fans’ Top 5. Once again, the 24-year-old proved too hot to handle for the Toffees – netting two penalties against Tim Howard in the 3-2 success at Goodison Park. Mahrez caused Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman many problems on the flanks, and along with Jamie Vardy, they ensured Leicester’s bubble has yet to burst this season. From an attacking midfield position, Mahrez has now scored 13 goals, which has helped the Foxes enjoy the Christmas No.1 spot in the table.

    4) JORES OKORE (ASTON VILLA) – 7.58

    The Danish centre-back was in commanding form for the Villains as Remi Garde’s men secured a crucial draw against Newcastle. Okore defended bravely, and at just 23, has a big role to play between now and the end of the season if Villa are going to escape relegation from the Premier League. Garde has entrusted his faith in Okore and feels his strength, power and pace is going to be important alongside the experienced Joleon Lescott.

    5) ANDREW SURMAN (BOURNEMOUTH) – 7.56

    The Cherries midfielder is a key orchestrator for Eddie Howe’s side in the middle of the park and his calming influence with and without the ball has been pivotal in Bournemouth’s festive revival. The 2-1 victory at West Brom last weekend parachuted the South Coast side into 14th position in the table and Surman’s partnership with Dan Gosling in midfield has given the side bags of energy – with that workrate being key to the club’s recent success.

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