Uche Begins Year On Good Footing

Nigeria international Ikechukwu Uche had a good start to the year as he was on target for Villarreal who could only muster a 2-2 draw against Elche at the Martinéz Valero Stadium on Saturday night.
The Yellow Submarine took the lead early with a goal from Luciano Vietto in the 11th minute following a millimeter-perfect pass from Moi Gomez

It looked even better six minutes later when a shot from Mario Gaspar was palmed into the path of Uche, who roofed it home.

However, Villarreal's penchant for committing individual errors in dangerous positions came back, and that, combined with some excellent Elche finishing, resulted in the match being tied up by the 35th minute. 

First it was Jonathas, finishing off a quick counterattack created when Jaume Costa turned the ball over on the left wing; then, Gabriel's too-soft pass at the top of our box led to Garry Rodrigues firing a golazo home off Asenjo's far post.

The Submarines could have had two more goals easily in the first half, with Trigueros and Cheryshev both unable to direct Vietto crosses on goal when in plenty of space. 

Man-of-the-match Sergio Asenjo made several flying saves to deny the franquiverdes.

On 18th December 2014, Uche signed a new two-year deal which will see him stay at the Estadio Madrigal until the end of the 2016/17 season.

The 30-year-old signed for the Submarines from Real Zaragoza in the summer of 2011 and was immediately loaned out to Granada CF.

On 17th September 2011, he scored the game's only goal against the team that held his rights, in a home fixture.

He subsequently returned to Villarreal and led his team in scoring as it returned to the top division in 2013.

Uche has gone on to net 33 goals in 70 appearances for the Europa League campaigners.