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2nd September 2023- Championship, Coventry City 3 Watford 3

https://www.watfordfc.com/match-report/match-report-coventry-city-3-3-watford

BBC: Mileta Rajovic’s double on his first Watford start was not enough to clinch victory as Coventry fought back three times to share the points in a thriller at the CBS Arena.

Sky: Mileta Rajovic’s opener was brilliantly cancelled out by Milan van Ewijk to leave the score 1-1 at half-time. Matheus Martins and a second from Rajovic had Watford ahead twice in the second half, but Wesley Hoedt’s own goal and Matt Godden’s late strike salvaged a point for the Sky Blues.

Watford Observer: Live Feed

For three games Watford struggled to score goals. Today that wasn’t the problem – it was giving them away down the other end that cost them all the points in a crazy 3-3 draw at Coventry.

BHappy: City’s second goal owed less to struggling with the demands of the new system than it did to a complacent and expensive lack of concentration.  At 2-1 for ten minutes or so early in the second half, we were bossing the game.  City looked beaten following Martins’ merciless strike, Watford were knocking it around and making the home side chase the ball.  Porteous’ pass across the back line to Hoedt didn’t place the Dutchman under particular pressure, but a moment’s hesitation as an opponent half-heartedly considered closing down saw him panic, turn away from the centre of the pitch and without looking play a firm back pass towards the goal.  No blame attached to Bachmann here – he has been told to be a passing option and so had to be a long way out of his goal. There’s no excuse for a back pass without a look, much less one that’s on target and with comic precision finds the narrow path between the goalkeeper’s tortured lunge and the inside post.   The away end slumped in stunned disbelief, the home stands were rejuvenated and the basketball resumed.

Fran’s Watford Blog: It was then Coventry’s turn to have a defensive shambles as Thomas played a short back pass, Bayo nipped in to pick it up and rolled it back to Rajović who prodded it past Wilson to give the Hornets the lead for the third time in the game. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66624456
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2nd September 2018- Premier League, Watford 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1

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Screen Shot 2018-09-03 at 12.42.09Referee:Andre Marriner     Attendance:20,141

screen-shot-2016-09-12-at-23-36-22clips of Jon Marks BBC 3CR commentary   Goals:  1   2

Watford Observer

RELIVE – Watford vs Tottenham Hotspur: Hornets’ perfect Premier League start extended at Spurs’ expense

Watford beat Tottenham Hotspur to continue perfect start to season

Mauricio Pochettino labels Tottenham Hotspur’s defeat ‘so painful’

Javi Gracia says Watford will enjoy win against Tottenham Hotspur the same as their other victories

Jose Holebas: Watford’s character key to downing Tottenham Hotspur

Watford player ratings: Troy Deeney and Craig Cathcart on song as Hornets down Tottenham Hotspur

Watford: Selection of images from a memorable victory against Tottenham Hotspur

Watford: Jose Holebas believes club are ready to build settled Premier League side

Troy Deeney the providing the spirit behind Watford’s fine start, says Javi Gracia

skyWatford came from behind to maintain their 100 per cent start to the season as two quickfire headers gave them a 2-1 win over Tottenham at Vicarage Road on Super Sunday.

BBC SportTottenham had scored a fortuitous opener as Watford midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure bundled into his own net but, after winning their first four league games for the first time in 30 years, it is the Hornets who join Liverpool and Chelsea on maximum points at the top of the table.

guardianTo the delight of Elton John, who sat in the posh seats, and every one of their other supporters, it was Watford rather than Tottenham who maintained their 100% start to the season. It is four wins out of four for them in the league and, for the first time since 1987, Watford triumphed in this fixture.

BHappy imageHaving had to man the barricades at the end of the first half, Spurs’ goal came from nothing eight minutes into the second.  A loose clearance, an aimless low cutback from Moura and a freak deflection off Doucouré that wrong-footed Foster. The sort of goal that would normally be a hammer blow.  “You don’t give away goals like that against teams like this.  It can’t be our day.  They haven’t had to do much to earn that…”.

FranThere was a certain inevitability to the goal and we settled back to witness the defeat that was sure to come.  But the players were of a completely different mindset and the goal seemed to galvanise them into action.  First Gray hit a powerful shot that was just over the bar.  Then Deeney hit a shot across goal that took a deflection off Vertonghen before coming back off the inside of the post.  So close!  Spurs were rattled and Dembélé went into the referee’s book for pulling down Hughes.  Holebas took the resulting free kick which was met by Deeney who powered the header home to level the game and send the Rookery wild.

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2nd September 2014- Oscar Garcia is appointed Watford head coach

BBC Sport: Watford have named former Brighton boss Oscar Garcia as their new head coach following Beppe Sannino’s resignation.

Watford Observer: The Golden Boys had been in talks with three candidates over the weekend but Garcia was their number one target.

The Guardian: A club statement read: “Watford Football Club is delighted to confirm the appointment of Oscar Garcia as head coach, the Hornets having won the race against several high-profile English clubs to secure his services.

Evening Standard, 3 Sep 2014

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2nd September 1997- New Division Two, Plymouth Argyle 0 Watford 1

This was the first game we played following the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.

Programme images courtesy of Matt Hall

https://watford.fcdb.info/index.php?page=matches

BSAD: For some strange reason I have wanted to go to Home Park for many years and last night I finally made it. About ten minutes before kick off a light drizzle started to fall which persisted for the rest of the evening. The atmosphere in the ground seemed subdued until the pre-match minute silence, impeccably observed by all supporters, had taken place.

Evening Herald, 3 Sep 1997
Guardian, 3 Sep 1997
https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/02-september-1997/#google_vignette

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2nd September 1980-League Cup Second Round Second Leg, Watford 7 (Seven) Southampton 1 (After Extra Time, Watford won 7-5 on aggregate)

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http://watford.fcdb.info?id=3347
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Radio report taken from WFC.Net

Watford Observer match report

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Daily Telegraph, 3 Sep 1980
Evening Standard, 3 Sep 1980
Southern Daily Echo, 3 Sep 1980
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Taken from the programme on 13th September 1980-Division Two, Watford 2 Preston North End 1

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980%E2%80%9381_Football_League_Cup

WATFORD fans, so satiated with success in recent years, were presented with an incredible football platter on Tuesday night which gagged, choked, numbed and finally consumed them to send everyone home in a delirium of delicious daydreams.

BSAD report: After the fourth went in we all went absolutely apeshit

The club chose to mark the scoreline by releasing a commemorative pen.

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This was featured in From The Rookery End’s ‘WFC in 100 objects

 WFC in 100 Objects – #11 7-1 Pen

14th March 2015- Championship, Watford 4 Reading 1
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Taken from the programme on 19th September 2009- Championship, Watford 3 Leicester City 3

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2nd September 1972- Division Three, Grimsby Town 2 Watford 0

Programme images courtesy of Matt Hall

https://www.watfordfcarchive.co.uk/fixture/1972-08-09
Sunday People, 3 Sep 1972
Sunday Mirror, 3 Sep 1972

Watford Observer match report

https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=1972-09-02
https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/02-september-1972/
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2nd September 1939- Division Three (South), Watford 1 Clapton Orient 1

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This was the final match played in the abandoned 1939-40 Football League season. The following day Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain declared war on Germany resulting in the season being stopped after just three games.

https://oldwatford.com/2001/09/26/26th-september-2001-new-division-one-watford-3-birmingham-city-3/

Below are selected images from the Daily Express published on the 4th September 1939 including a short mention of our game.

This copy of the newspaper was photographed at the wonderful Western Approaches museum in Liverpool.

1st September 2026- Championship, Swansea City 2 Watford 0

Watford Observer: Match Report: Watford go down to first league defeat of the season at Swansea

WATCH: Immediate reaction to Swansea City 2-0 Watford

Dionisi ‘angry’ with Watford’s out-of-possession performance at Swansea

Three youngsters leave Watford at the end of summer window

BBC: Swansea’s blend of high tempo and quality on the ball proved too much for Watford to handle, with home debutant Stephen Eustaquio rolling a pass through for Idah to gallop in behind before centring for Eom to finish first time from point-blank range. It was roles reversed for the second goal, with Eom dancing into space on the halfway line before his delightful through-ball sent Idah scampering clear. The former Celtic striker – who was once again preferred to Zan Vipotnik up front – finished in style, rolling a shot between the legs of Hornets goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia.

29th August 2026- Championship, Watford 1 West Ham United 1

Watford Observer: ‘Difficult but not impossible’ – Dionisi on how Watford can beat West Ham

Dionisi’s realistic tone tells the story ahead of West Ham visit

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY AS IT HAPPENED: Watford 1-1 West Ham United

Match Report: Watford extend unbeaten start to league season with 1-1 West Ham draw

Dionisi on Nabizada’s ‘moment’ and full of praise for Keben response

WATCH: Immediate reaction to Watford 1-1 West Ham United

Dionisi explains naming two goalkeepers on the bench against West Ham

BBC: Watford withstood huge second half pressure from West Ham to maintain their unbeaten start to the Championship season and keep the Hammers winless. The Hornets took the lead with a lovely solo effort from Amin Nabizada – his second goal of the new campaign.

Sky: It was a goal reminiscent of Gerard Deulofeu’s trick shot at Wembley in the Hornets’ FA Cup semi-final comeback against Wolves seven years ago, and West Ham were briefly rattled. But when the East-enders rattled the collection tin, Hornets defender Kevin Keben gave generously. Trying to shepherd the ball along the dead-ball line towards his own goal, Keben was robbed by Taty Castellanos and home skipper Mattie Pollock turned the ball into his own net from point-blank range.

BHappy: A crying shame, since for all the pressure that is to come, the visitors will register one shot on target of their own throughout the 90 – a piledriver from impressive teenage debutant centreback Airidas Golambeckis that Ravaglia is right behind. Which is to slightly underplay their threat.. there will be shots across the face of goal and saving tackles in there, details that “shots on target” kinda overlooks. Nonetheless, West Ham’s second half pressure isn’t so much banging on the door as wandering past it nonchalantly, trying to catch a glimpse of movement through the window, and asking the neighbour if anyone’s in. It’s difficult to argue with the take, voiced forcefully on the “Not the Top 20” podcast, that Nuno Espirito Santo isn’t perhaps the ideal choice of coach for a team destined to dominate possession and face a low block throughout the season.

Fran’s Watford Blog: When the fixtures came out, there was a lot of talk about how tough our start was. I don’t think any of us expected that we would have 5 points and be unbeaten after the first three games.

From the Rookery End: Watford remain unbeaten after a 1-1 draw with newly relegated West Ham — but should the Hornets have grabbed all three points? Jon, Jason, Charlie and DCW look back at a sold-out afternoon at Vicarage Road, from a superb Amin Nabizada finish to Kevin Keben’s choices that ended in an extraordinary own goal, and discuss the growing signs that Alessio Dionisi is building a team with a clear identity.

25th August 2026- League Cup Second Round, Watford 1 Peterborough United 5

Watford Observer: Dionisi could make up to 11 changes for Peterborough clash

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY AS IT HAPPENED: Watford 1-5 Peterborough

Match Report: Very inexperienced Watford suffer rough 5-1 Peterborough defeat

Dionisi: The young boys weren’t ready – but I had no choice

Dionisi not expecting new signings before West Ham on Saturday

Peterborough hammering was an ugly look for Watford

BBC: League One Peterborough swept aside a youthful Watford XI in a pulsating tie at Vicarage Road to book their place in the third round of the Carabao Cup. Hornets boss Alessio Dionisi changed all 11 starters from Saturday’s Championship draw at Wrexham, handing six players their full debut and naming a back-four entirely of academy graduates.

From the Rookery End: A 5-1 defeat at Peterborough was painful enough, but the result only tells part of the story. Mike is joined by Watford Observer’s Adam Drury to pick through a night that exposed just how thin Watford’s squad has become. How have Watford reached this point? What does it tell us about the club’s recruitment and financial strategy? And with the transfer deadline approaching, can the gaps be filled before they cause even more damage?

22nd August 2026- Championship, Wrexham 1 Watford 1

Watford Observer: Dionisi could make changes to counter Wrexham’s physical threat

Why Watford must deliver at Wrexham despite being down to bare bones

Dionisi out to change Watford’s away mentality

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY AS IT HAPPENED: Wrexham 1-1 Watford

Match Report: Watford take hard-earned point from Wrexham in 1-1 draw

Dionisi ‘very, very happy’ with Watford display at Wrexham

BBC: After being denied victory in the final moments in last week’s 1-1 draw at Cardiff City, Wrexham had to come from behind when Luca Kjerrumgaard glanced home a clever Omar Traore cross after just 12 minutes.

Sky: Lewis O’Brien led a slick breakout and Moore found Imray to beat both goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia and Matty Pollock’s despairing attempt on the goal-line.

Fran’s Watford Blog: It was another nervy second half for the Hornets, although not of Southampton proportions, but the lads put in another strong defensive showing. The loss of Traoré had been worrying, but Eames did very well, putting in an assured performance. The goal from Kjerrumgaard was well taken and showed what he can do if you play to his strengths. I was pleased for him, as it is always good for a striker to beat their duck. Bravo had another good game and looks as though he will be a very good addition to the squad. Maamma and Nabizada did not get into the game as much as the previous week, but all in all it was a decent performance away from home. I am loving Dionisi’s attacking approach and seeing the players all working hard for each other. The squad may be paper thin, but they are giving everything for the shirt.

From the Rookery End: Watford followed up victory over Southampton with a hard-earned point at Wrexham – and four points from the opening two games feels a long way from where many of us feared we might be.

16th August 2026- Championship, Watford 2 Southampton 1

Watford Observer: Dionisi on tough start: ‘It won’t be easy for the opposition either’

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY AS IT HAPPENED: Watford 2-1 Southampton

Match Report: Outstanding Watford produce memorable 2-1 win over Southampton

WATCH: Immediate reaction to Watford 2-1 Southampton

‘We were one team’ – Dionisi hails Watford mentality in Saints win

Dionisi: ‘Keben was probably better than everyone’

Keben and Bravo lead the way as Watford walk the walk

Nabizada: ‘I want to live this feeling every week’

BBC: Southampton were beaten in their first Championship match since the Spygate scandal, as Watford got off to a winning start under new boss Alessio Dionisi.

Sky: Summer signing Iker Bravo and teenage academy product Amin Nabizada gave new Watford manager Alessio Dionisi a fine win, while Southampton’s players were heckled, both on the pitch and from the stands, for their actions at the end of last season.

BHappy: The visitors look confident, capable, and are dominating the ball while we look a bit edgy. Dobbin escapes down the left and squares… we clear it unconvincingly, he’s flagged off anyway. Hector is booked for a clumsy foul… we can’t surely be this desperate, this stretched after only ten minutes? Then we score, and everything changes.

Fran’s Watford Blog: The pre-match tributes to Kevin Keegan and Kenny Jackett were both very emotional. Kenny is someone that I watched emerge from the youth team to become a legend. I was also lucky enough to meet him a few times and found him to be a lovely man who just wanted to chat to you about football. He was taken far too soon. The flag was a thing of beauty and the least that the fans could have done to honour Kenny. Special thanks to the 1881 for arranging it and to Roy and Phil for driving to Poland to collect it in time for the match.

From the Rookery End: A 2-1 win over Southampton gave Vicarage Road the sort of afternoon that has been in short supply recently, with two young players finding the net, a captain leading from the front and plenty of early signs of what Alessio Dionisi wants from his team.

8th August 2026- League Cup First Round, Watford 1 Crawley Town 0

Watford Observer: Team news: Ngakia close to return but Akomeah suffers injury

Watford out to defy poor EFL Cup record in Dionisi’s first competitive match

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY AS IT HAPPENED: Watford 1-0 Crawley Town

Match Report: Last-gasp Bola rocket wins it for Watford against Crawley

WATCH: Immediate reaction to Watford 1-0 Crawley Town

Dionisi hails ‘incredible’ Bola winner but has mixed views on Watford display

Bola raves about ‘breath of fresh air’ Dionisi, style of play and culture shift

Dionisi asking for daily updates on centre-back hunt and wants Irankunda replacement

Crawley boss to clip up Watford’s goal celebration as motivation

BBC: The Alessio Dionisi era at Watford began in unconvincing fashion with a last-gasp 1-0 Carabao Cup victory over League Two side Crawley Town at Vicarage Road.

Fran’s Watford Blog: As the clock reached 99 minutes, the ball came to Doumbia in the box, his shot was blocked and the clearance fell to Bola outside the box where he powered it home, to send the home fans wild with celebration. It was a cracking goal and no more than the Hornets deserved after a game in which they had 36 shots, 11 of which were on target.