EMMANUEL Dennis scored his eighth Premier League goal of the season on Tuesday evening but it was not enough to prevent Watford from losing 4-1 at home to West Ham United.
The Super Eagles forward, who is set to feature at the Africa Cup of Nations in January, opened the scoring at Vicarage Road but the visitors were too strong for the struggling Claudio Ranieri side.
The goal was Dennis’ sixth in his last eight games, increasing his goal involvements to 13 (eight goals and five assists), behind only Mohamed Salah in the league.
Tomas Soucek, Said Benrahma, Mark Noble and Nicola Vlasic scored West Ham’s goals to leave Watford stuck in 17th spot.
West Ham moved above Tottenham Hotspur into fifth place after Spurs failed to beat 10-man Southampton at St Mary’s.
James Ward-Prowse gave the Saints the lead in the 25th minute and they were ahead until the 41st minute when Ghanaian defender Mohammed Salisu fouled Son Heung-min in the box and gave away a penalty.
Harry Kane converted from the spot for his third goal in as many matches while Salisu was sent off for a second yellow card.
Despite playing with a one-man advantage throughout the second half, Tottenham Hotspur could not break down the resolute Saints defence, although Kane had a goal chalked off for a very tight offside.
In the other Premier League fixture of the evening, Crystal Palace, who were without ill Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise, cruised to a 3-0 win over bottom side Norwich City.
Odsonne Edouard, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jeffrey Schlupp netted for Patrick Vieira’s side as they rose to ninth spot in the table.
