Frustrating evening for Dennis after AFCON withdrawal as Watford lose to Spurs

The 24-year-old pulled out of the Africa Cup of Nations, but it was a disappointing evening for him and the Hornets on Saturday 

Emmanuel Dennis endured a frustrating evening as Watford suffered a painful 1-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in their Premier League encounter on Saturday evening.

Dennis had pulled out Nigeria’s 2021 AFCON squad after Watford denied him the opportunity in order to help their survival cause.

The ex-Club Brugge man has been the Hornets’ best player this season with eight goals and five assists in the league, making him responsible for 67% of the goals Watford have scored this campaign.

However, it was a frustrating evening for him on Saturday as he only played the opening 45 minutes. The Nigerian international managed just one shot on target, had a 50% pass accuracy while he lost possession 12 times.

Meanwhile, his compatriot, William Troost-Ekong, who is going to the AFCON with Nigeria, played the whole game, making five clearances and one tackle.

Watford did hold their own against Antonio Conte’s men and were within minutes from securing a valuable point.

However, it was not to be for Claudio Ranieri’s men as Davinson Sánchez 96th-minute header secured the three points for Spurs.