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22nd February 2019- Premier League, Cardiff City 1 Watford 5

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Referee:
Simon Hooper
Attendance:
30,387
Goal 1
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Goal 5

Watford take on Cardiff City in Friday night Premier League clash

Gerard Deulofeu scores a hat-trick as Watford beat Cardiff City 5-1

Javi Gracia thinks Watford can achieve something special after Cardiff City win

Watford’s players rated after they thump Cardiff City in the Premier League

Ben Foster vows Watford will continue to push on after Cardiff City thrashing

Images of all the goals from Watford’s 5-1 win at Cardiff City

Gerard Deulofeu scored Watford’s first top-flight hat-trick since 1986 as they boosted their hopes of a Europa League spot by cruising to victory at Cardiff.

Deulofeu opened the scoring in the 18th minute in a first half where Cardiff felt they should have had a penalty when Josh Murphy went down in the box under a strong challenge from Daryl Janmaat (42).

Deulofeu had not scored for eight matches but looked as if he was back playing for Barcelona as he ran riot in the second half. Abdoulaye Doucoure headed Bennett’s free-kick clear and into the path of the former Everton player, who knocked the ball past Manga on the halfway line, before taking it round Neil Etheridge and slotting home his fifth goal of the season.

The final whistle went sparking wild celebrations in the away end.  The players all came over to celebrate with the crowd and the songs and cheers went on for some time.  Deulofeu secured the match ball, despite an attempt by Doucouré to steal it.  As the others left him to it, he stood alone in front of the away fans while we told him he was magic.  It was a lovely moment.

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22nd February 1997- New Division Two, Wycombe Wanderers 0 Watford 0

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Looking on the bright side, at least I don’t have to bother updating the goal stats page today. On the other hand, I do have to attempt to write a report on one of the worst performances I’ve seen from a Watford side in donkey’s years.

https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=1997-02-22
https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/22-february-1997/
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22nd February 1994- New Division One, Barnsley v Watford- Match postponed

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The game was postponed at 5.40pm much to the annoyance of both clubs and all those who travelled. A new programme was issued for the rearranged date of 12th April 1994.

https://oldwatford.com/1994/03/05/5th-march-1994-new-division-one-watford-2-oxford-united-1/
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22nd February 1975- Division Three, Port Vale 0 Watford 0

https://watford.fcdb.info/index.php?page=matches
Evening Sentinel, 22 Feb 1975
Sunday Mirror, 23 Feb 1975
Sunday People, 23 Feb 1975

Watford Observer match report

https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=1975-02-22
https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/22-february-1975/
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22nd February 1969- Division Three, Watford 2 Mansfield Town 1

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http://watford.fcdb.info/index.php?page=matches
Evening Standard, 22 Feb 1969
Sunday Mirror, 23 Feb 1969
Sunday People, 22 Feb 1969

Watford Observer match report

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https://oldwatford.com/2004/01/03/3rd-january-2004-fa-cup-third-round-watford-2-chelsea-2/
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22nd February 1964- Division Three, Watford 2 Notts County 0

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http://watford.fcdb.info?id=2516
Sunday People, 23 Feb 1964

Watford Observer match report

https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=1964-02-22
https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/22-february-1964/

14th February 2026- Championship, Preston North End 2 Watford 2

Watford Observer: Still calls on Watford to unite for play-off push

Bove will be on the bench at Preston as Still targets front-foot style

Preston preview: Still needs wins straight away, that’s the reality

Match Wrap: Preston North End 2-2 Watford – Watford FCDownload

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY AS IT HAPPENED: Preston North End 2-2 Watford

Match Report: Still’s Watford bow ends in ding-dong 2-2 at Preston

Still felt Watford did enough to win after Baah changed the game at Preston

Bove received dressing-room applause after emotional return to football

Still on why he selected four centre-backs: ‘It’s Preston away’

Preston verdict: How did Ed Still fare in his first match as Watford head coach?

BBC: Second-half substitute Milutin Osmajic rescued a draw for Preston to deny Ed Still victory in his first game as Watford’s new head coach.

Sky: Preston had taken the lead through a well-taken Lewis Dobbin strike in the 19th minute but were pegged back by Othmane Maamma’s cool 55th-minute leveller and fell behind due to an unfortunate own goal from Odel Offiah two minutes later.

BHappy: Since the half is characterised by North End being run ragged, they end the game utterly exhausted as every passing minute brings the possibility of victory closer. They’ll argue that the blocks and the deflections and the bodies earned their point, but nobody could have argued if one of the many chances had gone in to decide the game, least of all a sublime volley from Formose Mendy which span off the inside of the post, rolled along the goalline, by-passed the far post and went out for a goal kick. By this time a fine chant (new to my ears) had gained traction, celebrating Big and Little Mendy in turn to the tune of 2 Unlimited’s “No Limit”.

From the Rookery End: Watford travelled to Deepdale and returned with a 2-2 draw against Preston — a result that, for a first game under a new Head Coach, looks decent… but still leaves the same lingering annoyance. With the season entering the business end, draws aren’t enough, and the pressure is building to start turning draws into wins.

9th February 2026- Ed Still appointed as new Watford Head Coach

Official: Hornets Appoint Still As Head Coach – Watford FCDownload

Watford Observer: Ed Still profile: Find out more about Watford’s new head coach

Watford announce Ed Still as their new head coach

Ed Still and Scott Duxbury’s first words on head coach appointment

Scepticism is understandable – but Pozzo’s left-field appointments often work best

National journalists and Troy Deeney react to Ed Still appointment

Still’s coaching staff takes shape as duo stay on

Still: ‘I know I’m not the biggest name – but stick with us’

BBC: Championship side Watford have appointed Edward Still as their head coach on a two-and-a-half-year contract.

Ed Still has promised Watford fans “fast, attacking football” from his team as he looks to make a winning start as head coach.

From the Rookery End: Ed Still Special: In Conversation with Watford’s new Head Coach

7th February 2026- Championship, Southampton 1 Watford 0

Watford Observer: Why Southampton v Watford will kick off at 12.31 on Saturday

Referee named for Watford’s trip to Southampton

Daniels demanding ‘same energy, enthusiasm and quality’ at Saints

‘We want to be effective with the ball’ – How Daniels wants Watford to play

When we next play them it would be lovely if we could come up with a similar image for that leaflet that now masquerades as a programme featuring the 7-1, the 4-1 win in 1982, the Chris Nicholl nightmare in 1983, the 3-2 in 1999, the 5-2 in 2004 and the 5 consecutive wins against them from 2005-2008.

Match Wrap: Southampton 1-0 Watford – Watford FCDownload

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY LIVE: Southampton 1-0 Watford

Match Report: Watford without a goal in three as they lose 1-0 to Southampton

Daniels calls for accountability after ‘unfortunate’ timing of Goglichidze sub

Daniels rues missed chances as ‘good performance’ unrewarded at Saints

BBC: New Southampton signing Cyle Larin scored just three minutes into his Southampton debut as Saints beat Watford in the Championship.

Sky: For the Hornets, who were led by interim Charlie Daniels for the second time, they are winless since New Year’s Day and haven’t scored in their last three matches.

3rd February 2026- Championship, Hull City 0 Watford 0

Originally postponed just 23 minutes before kick off on the 4th January.

Watford Observer: What should we expect from Watford under Daniels, Mariappa and Gosling?

Match Wrap: Hull City 0-0 Watford – Watford FCDownload

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY AS IT HAPPENED: Hull City 0-0 Watford

Match Report: Watford draw 0-0 at Hull City but impress under Daniels

WATCH: Immediate reaction to Hull City 0-0 Watford

Daniels on ‘really good performance’ at Hull after one session as Watford boss

Mendy ‘showed why he’s a top player’ at Hull, says Daniels

Daniels, Mariappa and Gosling should be very proud of Watford’s performance at Hull

Daniels ready to take charge at Southampton ‘unless I’m told otherwise’

‘Everything’s a fresh start’ – Why Jeremy Petris and Formose Mendy were recalled

BBC: Hull missed the chance to close the gap on the Championship’s top two after a dull goalless draw against managerless Watford.

Sky: Hull came into the rearranged fixture in third spot having won all four Championship matches since the postponement, but they were denied a fifth victory on the bounce by play-off hopefuls Watford.

Fran’s Watford Blog:  The post-match consensus was that we had all thoroughly enjoyed the game. It had been competitive and the Hornets were the better team, which was certainly not what we were expecting before the game. Mendy, who had very little game time under Javi, was excellent and looks likely to get more opportunities under Daniels, who clearly rates him. Abankwah, who has put in some excellent performances in defence, showed us what he could do going forward, with one particular surging run giving me great joy. Mfuni was a revelation. I was surprised to see the 17 year-old starting, but he put in a performance that belied his years. He was composed and effective in defence, while also popping up in the opposition box to get on the end of crosses. After Alleyne, it appears that City have done us another favour. I look forward to seeing more of the lad.

1st February 2026- Head Coach Javi Gracia resigns

Club Statement: Javi Gracia – Watford FCDownload

Watford Observer: Javi Gracia resigns as Watford head coach

The inside story of Javi Gracia’s resignation as Watford head coach

Gracia releases statement: ‘I could no longer contribute with full conviction’

BBC: Watford head coach Javi Gracia has resigned after just over three months in the job following their 2-0 defeat by Swansea City.

Sky: The Hornets are now seeking their 24th manager since the Pozzo family took the reins in 2012.

31st January 2026- Championship, Watford 0 Swansea City 2

Watford Observer: Gracia: Watford in a ‘difficult moment’ and ‘really need support’ from home fans

Watford want to be ‘aggressive’ and ‘play in the opposite half’ against Swansea

Gracia on Baah, Irankunda and how he selects his team

https://www.watfordfc.com/news/2026/january/31/digital-digest-swansea-edition

Match Wrap: Watford 0-2 Swansea City – Watford FCDownload

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY AS IT HAPPENED: Watford 0-2 Swansea City

Match Report: Winless run extends to five as tame Watford beaten 2-0 by Swansea

WATCH: Immediate reaction to Watford 0-2 Swansea City and Gracia’s comments

Gracia plans to talk with Pozzo after Swansea defeat

Why does Javi Gracia want talks with Gino Pozzo? And what next?

BBC: Swansea City claimed a rare away victory as second-half goals from Marko Stamenic and Josh Key saw Watford lose further ground in the Championship play-off race.

Sky: Watford, by contrast, have not won a Championship match since New Year’s Day and played the final four minutes of injury time with 10 men after Nestory Irankunda was sent off for pushing Liam Cullen to the ground.

Fran’s Watford Blog: On Sunday morning the news came that Javi had resigned. I am very sad to see him go, but it was not a great surprise as he has clearly been unhappy in recent weeks. We have to thank him for the great run that we went on towards the end of last year and some of the most enjoyable football we have seen in a while. He leaves with my good wishes and will always be given a warm welcome at the Vic.