22nd March 1983-Division One, Watford 2 Birmingham City 1

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More games from 22nd March at https://oldwatford.com/tag/mar22

16th March 2019- FA Cup Sixth Round, Watford 2 Crystal Palace 1

Referee:
Kevin Friend
Attendance:
18,104

1-0

2-1

FA Cup Report: Watford 2-1 Crystal Palace

Gray: “A Little Bit More Special”

Gracia: “It’s Something Amazing For Us”

Watford and Crystal Palace going head to head in FA Cup quarter final

Watford beat Crystal Palace in FA Cup quarter-finals thanks to Andre Gray winner

Watford vs Crystal Palace: Javi Gracia praises Heurelho Gomes after FA Cup quarter-final triumph

Watford vs Crystal Palace: Javi Gracia stresses the Hornets’ strength as a team

Second-half substitute Andre Gray scored two minutes after coming on to send Watford into the FA Cup semi-finals with victory over Crystal Palace at Vicarage Road.

Gray’s goal 11 minutes from time booked Watford’s place at Wembley for the second time in four years after a passionate quarter-final at Vicarage Road, which the hosts were good value for edging. They took advantage of increasing first-half momentum to move ahead on the half-hour when Etienne Capoue was teed up by Craig Cathcart after Vincent Guiata missed a punch from a corner. But Michy Batshuayi then levelled after half-time following a horrible mistake from Adrian Mariappa.

As it happened

Nearly 35 years since their solitary appearance in the FA Cup final under Graham Taylor, Watford now have the chance under Gracia to emulate that famous side by reaching the Wembley showpiece match in May for a second time. The Spaniard’s name reverberated around the stadium at the final whistle as the veteran goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes – who is planning to take up a new career as a pastor at the end of the season – wept tears of joy. “When the team was suffering in the second half they were very important for the team,” Gracia said of his club’s fans. “I think they really lifted our players.”

It had been a long time coming, but finally Watford have their revenge. After losing to Crystal Palace in the 2013 Championship play-off final and the 2016 FA Cup semi-final, they have made it past their bogey team. As the crowd sang loud at the final whistle, Javi Gracia’s side are on their way to Wembley. And in the process they have consigned Roy Hodgson to another season without an FA Cup semi-final appearance.

9th March 2019- Premier League, Manchester City 3 Watford 1

Referee:
Paul Tierney
Attendance:
54,104

Goal 1

Match Report: Manchester City 3-1 Watford

Highlights: Manchester City 3-1 Watford

Gracia: “We Have Competed Really Well”

Gallery: Manchester City v Watford

Affleck’s Angle: Best Laid Plans

Watford lose 3-1 away at Manchester City in the Premier League

Raheem Sterling scores a hat-trick as Watford are beaten at Manchester City

Javi Gracia believes Raheem Sterling goal was clearly offside as Watford lose to Manchester City

Pep Guardiola has apologised for Raheem Sterling’s first goal against Watford for Manchester City

Watford players rated following their Premier League defeat to Manchester City

A selection of images as Watford lose to Manchester City

Javi Gracia defends decision to make seven changes for Watford’s Premier League game away at Manchester City

Raheem Sterling’s quick-fire second-half hat-trick sent Manchester City four points clear at the top of the Premier League, but there was controversy over the opener that broke down a stubborn Watford side.

Sterling’s first goal, 40 seconds after half-time, was initially ruled out for offside but after a long discussion, referee Paul Tierney overturned his own decision, with Daryl Janmaat’s attempted block just before Sterling struck ruled as having played the winger onside.

Janmaat’s involvement did not change some basic facts, namely that Sterling had been offside from Agüero’s flick-on and was going for the ball, prominently involved in play. Yet Tierney came away from a lengthy discussion with his assistant, Adrian Holmes, by deciding to overrule the original decision and declare Sterling was, in fact, onside. Confused? Well, join the club. Javi Gracia, the Watford manager, tries not to be a critic of referees and showed commendable restraint afterwards, noting only his belief it was very much the wrong decision. As for Guardiola, he pointed out that English football should have had VAR in place long before now.

Minute by minute report

After the floodgates opened in the second half, Watford did strike back with one goal, coming from the first two touches of their two substitutes, introduced moments earlier on 65 minutes. Troy Deeney’s flick-on was finished well by Gerard Deulofeu.

Like the majority of Watford fans, I don’t travel to places like City expecting anything out of the game, so the fact that the home side had the vast majority of the possession and Watford had only the single shot on target came as no surprise. Unlike the trip to Liverpool, Watford were more effective in defence and, had the referee not interfered, the result may have been more favourable.

3rd March 2019- Premier League, Watford 2 Leicester City 1

This game was given added spice by the announcement five days beforehand that former Watford manager Brendan Rodgers had left Celtic to take over the vacant manager’s job at Leicester City. The Guardian detailed the story of his time at Vicarage Road.

The new Leicester City manager is likely to get a hostile reception at Vicarage Road after an abrupt departure in 2009 but his players remember him warmly

Referee:
Jonathan Moss
Attendance:
20,062

Goal 1

Goal 2

Match Report: Watford 2-1 Leicester City

Gray: “A Great Feeling”

Gracia: “All My Players Want More & More”

Highlights: Watford 2-1 Leicester City

Deeney: “You Can See The Passion And Desire”

Another Angle: Gray Scores 92nd Minute Winner!

Watford host Leicester City and former manager Brendan Rodgers in the Premier League

Andre Gray scores injury-time winner for Watford against Leicester City

Javi Gracia stresses Watford’s ambition following Leicester City victory

Watford vs Leicester City: Javi Gracia praises contributions of Troy Deeney and Andre Gray

Watford players’ individual performances rated after earning late win against Leicester City

A selection of images from Watford’s victory over Leicester City

Watford’s Andre Gray has dedicated his winning goal against Leicester City to his auntie after her recent death

Troy Deeney has spoken about his understanding with Andre Gray after Watford’s late win over Leicester City

A last-gasp goal from Andre Gray denied Brendan Rodgers his first point as Leicester manager as Watford earned a 2-1 win in the Premier League on Sunday. Rodgers’ debut saw him return to the club where got his first managerial job after being appointed at Leicester on Tuesday, but it was a terrible start for the former Celtic boss as Troy Deeney scored inside five minutes.

Troy Deeney insists there will be no Watford “meltdown” this season after the Hornets continued their impressive campaign with a late victory over Leicester in Brendan Rodgers’ first game in charge of the Foxes.

Watford boss Javi Gracia says his team “deserved” the win after beating Leicester City 2-1 at Vicarage Road, the Spaniard is also pleased with the “ambition” his players continue to show, saying they want “more and more” as the Hornets aim to finish the season strongly.

A late goal from the substitute, Andre Gray, gave Watford all three points as Brendan Rodgers began life at Leicester with a defeat

Among all the accusations that have swirled around since Brendan Rodgers swapped Celtic for Leicester, there has been little suggestion that he picked the easy option. Watford provided an instant crash course in the perpetual uncertainty of the Premier League’s middle third and, when the substitute Andre Gray ran through in added time to send a charged-up Vicarage Road into raptures, it felt like enough to stop even the most incorrigible optimist in their tracks.

Leicester were indebted to Kasper Schmeichel and then Wes Morgan for keeping Watford out from a third-minute free-kick, only to fall behind to another free-kick two minutes later. Gerard Deulofeu curled in the dead ball with such ferocity that Troy Deeney needed only to allow it to skim the top of his head to beat Schmeichel.

The beginning, strictly speaking, is Tuesday’s management announcement in Leicestershire which confirmed that for the third home game in a row we would be facing a former boss. The third of the three home games this calendar year incidentally versus nine away of which only two defeats, a figure distorted by cup draws and Spurs’ stadium nonsense… but these statistics which highlight how well the present incumbent is doing and how the identity and history of the Other Bloke only matters up to a point.

Leicester’s decision to dispense with the services of Claude Puel and appoint Brendan Rodgers meant that this was the third home game in a row in which we would face a former manager. It also ensured a better atmosphere than may have been expected on a Sunday lunchtime as Mr Integrity returned to Vicarage Road.

27th February 2019- Premier League, Liverpool 5 Watford 0

Referee:
Graham Scott
Attendance:
53,316

Match Report: Liverpool 5-0 Watford

Gracia: “We Have To Keep Confidence In Ourselves”

Watford thrashed away at Premier League leaders Liverpool

Liverpool beat Watford by five goals at Anfield in the Premier League

Watford head coach Javi Gracia has defended his team after their five goal defeat against Liverpool

Watford players’ individual ratings following their difficult away day in Liverpool

Watford head coach Javi Gracia wants his side to accept responsibility for Liverpool defeat

Jurgen Klopp feels Liverpool proved some doubters wrong after they turned on the style to crush Watford at Anfield and stay top of the Premier League.

Watford had conceded 11 goals on their previous two visits to Anfield and they were soon facing an uphill task again as Mane netted twice inside the opening 20 minutes.

Fear stalked the Watford defence each time Salah received the ball in space, a lesson they failed to heed from United’s approach at Old Trafford. The paucity of the visitors’ attacking display was summed up by Javi Gracia withdrawing both of his forwards, Troy Deeney and the erratic Gerard Deulofeu, in a double substitution.

In many respects, Watford did well to keep it to three before the last ten minutes when the situation finally became critical, two crosses delivered into the box – one each from the two full-backs – and both headed past Ben Foster by Virgil Van Dijk.

Whilst the five goals was disappointing, what was really frustrating was the number of Liverpool fans in the away end at Anfield. I was on a mission to point them out.

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

Referee:
Simon Hooper
Attendance:
30,387

Goal 1

Goal 2

Goal 3

Goal 4

Goal 5

Match Report: Cardiff City 1-5 Watford

Deulofeu: “An Amazing Day”

Gracia: “To Win Like We Did Was Outstanding”

Highlights: Cardiff City 1-5 Watford

Deeney: “We Looked Like A Real Top Team”

Affleck’s Angle: Consistency Is Key

FPL Review: Gameweek 27

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.

His third also came thanks to generous defending, this time from Harry Arter, who was intercepted by Etienne Capoue. The Frenchman sent Deulofeu through and he finished neatly. Not content with his offing, Deulofeu then switched flanks, and burst through on goal again after 73 minutes. He looked on for a fourth, but instead side-footed into the path of Deeney, who deserved to be on the scoresheet. Cardiff pulled one back nine minutes from time after Bamba latched on to a loose ball during a frenzied goalmouth scramble, but there was little interrupting the scenes of adulation in the away end, and Deeney completed the rout after 90 minutes from a Will Hughes lay-off.

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.

What started off a tetchy, nerve-wracking evening turned out to be one of the best games of the season. Watford were sublime in the second half and produced one of the finest counter-attacking displays I have ever seen. Deulofeu was a man possessed as he embarrassed the Cardiff back line with some superb finishes.

15th February 2019- FA Cup Fifth Round, Queens Park Rangers 0 Watford 1

Referee:
Michael Oliver
Attendance:
17,212

FA Cup Report: QPR 0-1 Watford

Gomes: “I Couldn’t Ask For More”

Gracia: “It’s Important We’re Getting These Results”

Britos: “It Was A Big Effort”

FA Cup Highlights: QPR 0-1 Watford

Gallery: QPR v Watford

Affleck’s Angle: Stick Or Twist

Relive our coverage of Queens Park Rangers vs Watford in the FA Cup fifth round

Queens Park Rangers vs Watford: Etienne Capoue sends Hornets into FA Cup quarter-finals

Queens Park Rangers vs Watford: Javi Gracia staying focused after Hornets reach FA Cup sixth round

How we scored Watford in their FA Cup win at Queens Park Rangers

Javi Graca praises Watford players’ professionalism and commitment

Heurelho Gomes calls on Watford to believe they can reach Wembley

A selection of images from Watford’s FA Cup win at Queens Park Rangers

Watford reached the FA Cup quarter-finals for the second time in four seasons after a hard-fought win against battling Queens Park Rangers.

As four minutes of added time were shown at the end of the first half, Capoue swept the ball home after a mis-hit from Tom Cleverley and it proved to be the winner.

Queens Park Rangers had to wait for this moment. Their previous appearance in the FA Cup fifth round had come at Wimbledon in 1997 and it is doubtful whether any club has since endured a more dismal record in the competition. The London club had won only four ties – each of them in the third round – before this season.

Watford were quick to applaud their 2,654 travelling supporters, who ended the evening singing of Wembley.

Prior to kick-off there was a minute’s applause for Gordon Banks who passed away this week. It has to be said that nobody waited for the referee’s whistle to start the tribute.

9th February 2019- Premier League, Watford 1 Everton 0

A lot happened in both the lead up and aftermath of this game so I’ve tried to provide a bit of context which is shown below in bold.

Pre Match Articles

Gracia: “This Game Will Be No Different”

Holebas: “They Push Us On”

Post Match Articles

Match Report: Watford 1-0 Everton

Gray: “I Wanted To Show I Can Make The Difference”

Gracia: “It’s Something Amazing For Us”

Mariappa: “Everyone Is Pulling In The Same Direction”

Highlights: Watford 1-0 Everton

FPL Review: Gameweek 26

Gallery: Watford v Everton

Affleck’s Angle: We’ve Moved On

Pre Match Articles

Marco Silva: Independent inquiry into Everton’s alleged illegal approach for former Watford boss ongoing

Javi Gracia expecting Watford fans to get behind Hornets against Everton

Watford vs Everton: Javi Gracia has no special plans to counter Richarlison threat

Watford vs Everton: Marco Silva claims he’s ‘ready for everything’ ahead of Hornets return

Post Match Articles

Relive our coverage of Watford’s Premier League clash with Everton

Watford vs Everton: Andre Gray ensures miserable return to Vicarage Road for Marco Silva

Watford head coach Javi Gracia delighted after Everton victory

Everton boss Marco Silva claims ‘I did my job well’ while at Watford

RATINGS: How we scored Watford’s performances against Everton

A selection of images from Watford’s win over Everton

Andre Gray says Watford are not putting limits on their ambitions this season

Adrian Mariappa hails ‘terrific’ support from Watford fans after Premier League win over Everton

Watford held off late pressure from Everton to claim a hard-fought victory over their former manager Marco Silva.

After Troy Deeney had appeared to stoke the flames ahead of the encounter at a Watford fans’ forum, Gray made the most of the only moment of real quality in the game when he converted Will Hughes’ cut-back 20 minutes into the second period, scoring his fourth goal of the season.

Gray was a Silva signing early in the Portuguese’s short stay at Vicarage Road, which began in May 2017 and went sour in November that year when he was prevented from going to Goodison. Watford sacked him in January last year amid tapping-up suggestions as their form nosedived. The amiable Javi Gracia took over to restore stability – “he’s better than you” sang the home fans to Silva to emphasise a point backed up by the league table.

They played Al Wilson’s 1968 hit The Snake at Vicarage Road, just before Rocket Man by Elton John and the Z-Cars theme both Watford and Everton use to signal their imminent arrival on the pitch.

Pre Match Report

Marco Silva has said Troy Deeney’s comments about intimidating Everton have been noted by his players and can serve as motivation for their visit to Watford on Saturday.

Post March Report

Before the match, the Watford captain, Troy Deeney, had distanced himself from comments he made at a fans forum this week where he promised to kick Everton’s players. Yet with passions running high in this part of Hertfordshire, as the chief executive, Scott Duxbury, said he would not engage with Silva in the opposition dugout, some supporters greeted their former manager with yellow inflatable snakes.

The Troy Deeney ‘comments’ mentioned above came from a Fan’s Forum which took place in London one evening in the week leading up to the Everton game.

Andy Lewers of the brilliant Hornet’s Nest blog and Love Sport Radio live tweeted what was said by those at the forum. Click on the tweet below to see the whole thread from the evening.

#WatfordFC Fans' Forum – joined by Troy Deeney, Scott Duxbury and Filippo Giraldi
— The Hornets' Nest (@hornetsnestwfc) February 6, 2019

He later provided more details on what was said in a post on facebook.

The media then mis-quoted some of this which led to Silva’s motivation comments. This was how the Evening Standard reported the forum…

Troy Deeney’s Watford Fans’ Forum appearance was a joy to behold… unless you’re Marco Silva

Troy addressed the mis-reporting of his comments on the morning of the game

Andy then talked about the controversy in his usual post match blog.

Now, you will no doubt be aware that some of Troy’s comments from the evening were picked up and published in the national media.

Many of you will have read my tweets quoted in the papers. My intention was purely to keep Watford fans who weren’t able to attend the evening up to date with what was going on.

Sadly, some of Troy’s comments were taken out of context. They were tongue-in-cheek, exactly what you’d expect from the Watford captain, there was no malice in anything that he said and you could tell he had genuine respect for Marco Silva and Everton.

I was perhaps naive in thinking that tweeting Troy’s comments wouldn’t have had consequences. Lesson learnt.

To be fair to Silva (not that I really want to be) he told 5 Live’s Vicki Sparks in his post match interview that he hadn’t really believed the reporting of Deeney’s comments and that Troy clarified them when they spoke before the game. (Apologies for the poor audio quality)