Previously v Sunderland
Clips of Jon Marks commentary
Relive Watford’s vital victory over rock-bottom Black Cats
Britos secures big Watford win
Mazzarri calls on players to replicate Sunderland display and secure survival
Player ratings: How did the Hornets fair against Sunderland?
Miguel Britos’ second-half header ended Watford’s four-game winless run, giving them victory over Sunderland and leaving David Moyes’ side rooted to the bottom of the Premier League.
A first club goal from Miguel Britos gave Watford a 1-0 win against Sunderland, meaning David Moyes’ side are now seven points off Premier League safety.
David Moyes remained phlegmatic after this match, insisting another escape from the drop remains possible. Walter Mazzarri, for his part, insisted his team had never been part of a relegation scrap. But the truth was visible on the pitch at the final whistle as Watford players erupted in jubilation and Sunderland players fell to their knees.
The thing about losing a rubbish game before an international break is that you have two weeks of fidgeting before getting back to it. A period in which you can afford, or pretend, to forget about bloody football for a bit for, what, half an hour or so? Before focusing intently on the forthcoming game. For two weeks. Minus the five minutes or so for which internationals distracted you.
Just before the half hour, Niang went on a wonderful forward run but, after doing all the hard work his shot was straight at a defender. As the play returned to the other end of the pitch, he just ambled around. I wondered whether he had an injury, but it soon became clear that he just needed a sit down after his exertions.
It was refreshing to see us play some good football and get a deserved win, refreshing to know we can still grind out a victory, refreshing to know that there’s now no international football until June.