It was a dream debut for Emmanuel Dennis as he scored one and set up another as Watford beat Aston Villa in their opening fixture of the 2021/22 Premier League season.
The nimble-footed forward put Watford in front as he latched on to a low cross before coolly slotting behind Emiliano Martinez in the 10th minute.
It didn’t end there for the Yola-born forward as he fed Ismaila Sarr the ball on the edge of the box. The Senegalese took no prisoners as he fired home, pushing the Hornets to a two-goal lead.
The Nigerian International expressed delight in his performance as he hit the ground running in his competitive debut for the Hornets.
“I will remember this for all my life, I am really happy, I am really, really happy, I am speechless, I don’t know what to say, I am just really happy,” Dennis told Watford TV after the game.
While on loan at FC Koln last season, the 23-year-old struggled to find the net in nine appearances. However, Watford Coach Xisco Munoz’s decided to throw him straight into the thick of things, and Dennis did not make the Spanish tactician regret his decision.
After joining from Jupiler League Champions Club Brugge for €4.0m in the summer, Dennis has quickly adapted to English football.
It is not a surprise, as he has a host of Nigerians that have helped him blend successfully. Among those is William Troost-Ekong Ekong, who started the game from defence, alongside Oghenekaro Etebo, who just arrived on loan from Stoke City in the summer. There is also out of favour, Isaac Success.
Watford travel to the Amex Stadium to face Brighton next week, and Dennis will try to replicate the form he showed against Aston Villa.
