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8th November 2024- Championship, Watford 1 Oxford United 0

WFC.Net goal commentary: 1

Report: Watford 1-0 Oxford United – Watford FCDownload

BBC: A second-half goal by Vakoun Bayo sent Watford fourth in the Championship as they held on to beat Oxford United.

Sky: Tom Cleverley’s hosts moved above Burnley, West Brom and Millwall thanks to a 54th-minute strike from the Ivory Coast forward, who had scored four times at Sheffield Wednesday last weekend but only once before that this term.

Watford Observer: RECAP: Watford 1 Oxford 0

Watford 1 Oxford 0 – the action as it happened

Players delivered half-time tactical changes perfectly says Cleverley

BHappy: It’s a long old time since Oxford were here last.  Twenty six years…  twenty six years and one day, in fact. The Oxford United of 1998 were in a sorry state on and off the pitch;  notoriously they had turned up without a change kit and ran out in our two-tone blue number, a version of which is up in the loft somewhere.  On the pitch they were hardly more competent, supine in rolling over to accommodate a routine home win that could have seen a bigger margin of victory.  More than half of the intervening period has been spent in the fourth tier, with four years spent outside the Football League altogether.

Fran’s Watford Blog: As the team celebrated, “Freed from Desire” started playing over the tannoy, the Vicarage Road faithful followed the prompt with a joyous chorus of “Bayo’s on Fire” which saw the man himself appearing out of the crowd of players dancing towards the Rookey with a beaming smile on his face. My smile was equally broad at this point.

From The Rookery End: First, Jon, Kieran, Jason and Jordi chat outside Vicarage Road, after the 1-0 home win against Oxford United. With a few faces, who we don’t see much, being given a chance to shine by Tom Cleverley, there were a few players and performances to pick apart. 

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8th November 2022- Championship, Watford 2 Reading 0

WFC.Net Jon Marks Goal Commentary: 1  2

Attendance: 18,847

BBC Sport: Joao Pedro’s double was enough for a victory over Reading that sent Watford into the Championship play-off places.

Sky Sports: Goals in both halves ensured the Hertfordshire side bounced back from defeat against Coventry last weekend.

Fran’s Watford Blog: As this was the nearest home game to Remembrance Sunday, Bilić and Ince laid wreaths on the touchline and a trumpeter played the Last Post to impeccable silence in the ground.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62776174
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8th November 2019- Premier League, Norwich City 0 Watford 2

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Referee: Andre Marriner
Attendance: 27,074
1-0
2-0

Relive our coverage as Watford triumph at Norwich City

Watford beat Norwich City to move off Premier League basement

Watford’s win over Norwich City ‘lifts the pressure’, Quique Sanchez Flores believes

How we scored Watford’s performances in their win at Norwich City

Watford earned their first Premier League win of the season as they moved off the bottom of the table at the expense of opponents Norwich.

Gerard Deulofeu fired the visitors ahead after just 76 seconds but Norwich squandered numerous chances to score before half-time against a Watford side who had kept only one clean sheet on the road in 2019.

Minute by minute

Deulofeu was the architect, sending Alex Tettey to the floor before lofting a cross from the left on to the penalty spot, where Gray was waiting. The striker was marked by Jamal Lewis and, it seemed, tightly enough too. It turned out to be too tight, however, as Gray chose not to take a touch but simply backheel the ball past the full-back and beyond a non-plussed Krul.

There’s no downplaying the tension. They’ve all been big games of course, all must-win games until we win one but coming before against an international break against a struggling opponent… surely now or, you know, if not never then perhaps too late. Significantly some big names are back in training and this announcement had built anticipation over the anxiety… Troy, Caps, Sarr, Seb, of whom Caps starts in midfield and Troy is a very welcome return to the bench. There’s a nervous energy rippling through the away seats.

There were smiles and hugs and celebrations among the Watford fans.  We have waited far too long for that victory and it was well deserved.  While the game was not a classic, once Watford took the lead we looked comfortable.  Deulofeu can be very frustrating, but he took his goal brilliantly and his assist for Gray’s goal was a thing of beauty (very reminiscent of the goal against Wolves in the cup semi-final).  It was wonderful to see Capoue back in the team and his presence in the midfield allowed Doucouré to put in his best performance for some time.  The defence was solid, and the lads did very well to keep their shape and organisation with only 10 men on the pitch.  With Capoue and Deeney both returning to fitness, the future is looking a lot brighter and we can go into the international break feeling much more positive about our prospects for the season.

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8th November 1997- New Division Two, Walsall 0 Watford 0

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This was a dour game that only really became anywhere near exciting in injury time, when Thomas had a good dribble and shot from the edge of the area, but the keeper pulled off a great save and pushed it round the far post. Gibbs then had a run through the defence and again the keeper saved it.

http://watford.fcdb.info?s=36573&id=4272
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8th November 1978- League Cup Fourth Round, Exeter City 0 Watford 2

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Evening Standard, 8 Nov 1978
https://watford.fcdb.info?id=3254&s=164785&p=2

Watford Observer match report

Guardian, 9 Nov 1978
Daily Mirror, 9 Nov 1978
Daily Telegraph, 9 Nov 1978
Evening Standard, 9 Nov 1978
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1978%E2%80%9379_Football_League_Cup
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8th November 1952- Division Three (South), Watford 1 Coventry City 1

Programme images courtesy of Matt Hall

https://watford.fcdb.info/index.php?page=matches
Coventry Evening Telegraph, 8 Nov 1952
Sunday Dispatch, 9 Nov 1952
Sunday People, 9 Nov 1952
Sunday Mirror, 9 Nov 1952
Sunday Mirror, 9 Nov 1952

7th November 2026- Championship, Watford 0 Middlesbrough 0

Watford Observer: Alessio Dionisi confirms fresh Watford fitness update

“We know our qualities” – Marc Bola on Middlesbrough test

Myron Boadu sidelined vs Middlesbrough in big blow for Watford

Watford Observer: Matchday as it happened: Watford 0-0 Middlesbrough – Crucial point

Match report: Watford 0-0 Middlesbrough: Ravaglia shines in stalemate

Alessio Dionisi ‘very proud’ after Middlesbrough draw

Sky: A magnificent display by Watford goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia denied high-flying Middlesbrough victory in a 0-0 draw at Vicarage Road and cost them top spot in the Championship.

BBC: On balance of play, Boro dominated control of the ball and created the better opportunities but either found their composure in front of goal lacking or could not get the better of Hornets goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia.

3rd November 2026- Championship, Watford 1 Lincoln City 0

Watford Observer: Alessio Dionisi hopeful Luca Kjerrumgaard can return on Tuesday

Watford and Lincoln City announce new Graham Taylor Cup

Watford to pay tribute to late Lincoln City supporter

Watford Observer: Matchday as it happened: Watford 1-0 Lincoln City: Hornets back to winning ways

Match report: Watford 1-0 Lincoln City: Crucial three points

Alessio Dionisi reflects on crucial Lincoln City win

Stephy Mavididi delighted with win after ‘outside noise’

How Watford players reacted to crucial Lincoln City win

BBC: Stephy Mavididi scored the only goal as Watford beat Lincoln City to move away from the Championship relegation zone and ease the pressure on boss Alessio Dionisi.

Sky: On-loan winger Mavididi’s deflected strike less than a minute into the second half was only the Hornets’ second win in eight games and just their second clean sheet since March.

Fran’s Watford Blog: Prior to kick-off, a banner in honour of GT was raised over the Rookery. We were a little concerned that there were not enough of us to lift it over, but it was a small one that only covered the front section, so was held up with no problem.

From the Rookery End: Watford have won a game, lifted the inaugural Graham Taylor Cup and kept a clean sheet. So why does everything still feel so uncertain?

31st October 2026- Championship, Norwich City 3 Watford 2

Watford Observer: Alessio Dionisi bemused by Watford bonding trip backlash

Hector Kyprianou rubbishes ‘prison-like’ hotel stay claims

Alessio Dionisi issues message to Watford fans ahead of Norwich clash

Alessio Dionisi discusses importance of remembrance at Carrow Road

Watford Observer: Matchday as it happened: Norwich City 3-2 Watford

Match report: Norwich City 3-2 Watford: Hornets completely collapse

Myron Boadu admits Watford players are letting Alessio Dionisi down

Alessio Dionisi furious after Watford collapse

Myron Boadu explains Watford players’ supporter standoff

BBC: Norwich City showed further signs of revival as they came from two goals down to beat struggling Watford at Carrow Road and increase the pressure on Hornets head coach Alessio Dionisi.

Sky: Dutch striker Myron Boadu opened his account for the visitors with two goals as Watford took a 2-0 lead into the interval against a misfiring home side. However, the Canaries looked a different side after the interval and scored three times in 17 minutes to turn the game on its head, with Ben Chrisene, Anthony Musaba and Paris Maghoma getting the goals that made it another unhappy afternoon for under-pressure Hornets manager Alessio Dionisi.

Fran’s Watford Blog: It was a classic game of two halves. Sadly, it was the first half in which the Hornets impressed. They played some lovely passing moves and scored a couple of decent goals. It appears that we have a striker in Boadu. The lads appeared to be playing with more confidence than of late and it was fun to watch. Unfortunately, once Norwich pulled one back, that confidence dissipated and Norwich were on the front foot. Their goals were all well taken but we could have dealt better with balls into the box. I couldn’t help thinking as the fans berated the players at the end that, if the halves had been reversed, there would have been a much more positive reaction at the final whistle.

From the Rookery End: Two goals up at half-time, but somehow another defeat. Watford’s 3-2 collapse at Norwich leaves Jon and Sam asking why this team continues to struggle, even when things appear to be going their way.

24th October 2026- Championship, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 Watford 0

Watford Observer: Kenny Jackett to be remembered as Watford travel to Molineux

Alessio Dionisi says Watford squad in high spirits

Alessio Dionisi issues positive Watford fitness update

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY LIVE: Wolves 1-0 Watford: Hornets fall to defeat

Match report: Wolves 1-0 Watford: Hornets get dominated

Alessio Dionisi frustrated by lack of courage in Wolves defeat

Alessio Dionisi offers Watford fitness update after Wolves loss

BBC: Adam Armstrong scored the only goal as Wolves edged out struggling Watford at Molineux to cut the gap to the Championship promotion places.

Sky: Defeat for Watford – one of only two Championship teams without an away win this season – left them with one point out of 18 on their travels. They have lost seven of their last nine games, conceding 17 goals, and they forced just one save out of Jose Sa.

Fran’s Watford Blog: The conditions were appalling with strong winds and a swirling rain, but both teams had to deal with the same conditions, so the Hornets cannot use that as an excuse. We have another game on the road next week and I fear that Norwich will be another team who will have their season kick-started by a visit from the Hornets. I hope I am wrong.

From the Rookery End: Another away day, another defeat—and the same familiar questions. Jon, Adam, Charlie and Colin reflect on Watford’s 1–0 loss at Wolves, a woeful first half and the mounting pressure on Alessio Dionisi.