Category Archives: November

8th November 2019- Premier League, Norwich City 0 Watford 2

Referee: Andre Marriner
Attendance: 27,074

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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.

2nd November 2019- Premier League, Watford 1 Chelsea 2

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Watford host Chelsea in the Premier League as they look for first victory

Ben Foster almost snatches a dramatic draw for Watford against Chelsea

Watford head coach responds to fans’ booing during Chelsea defeat

Watford players rated after home defeat to Chelsea

Christian Kabasele claims Watford should not have to rely on Ben Foster after Chelsea defeat

Goalkeeper Ben Foster was denied a stunning headed equaliser in stoppage time as Chelsea hung on for victory at Watford to move third in the Premier League.

A spirited goalkeeping performance from Ben Foster – who made no fewer than eight saves – prevented Chelsea from extinguishing Watford’s challenge, which was boosted 10 minutes from time when a controversial VAR-awarded penalty was converted by Gerard Deulofeu.

Given that it was little more than a duel between Ben Foster and Chelsea’s forwards at times, it would have been a strange twist if the goalkeeper had rescued a point for Watford with the game’s final act. They were into the sixth minute of added time when Foster, who had kept his side in it with countless saves, decided to charge forward after Mason Mount conceded a free-kick deep on the left, and it would have been an extraordinary ending if the 36-year-old’s downward header had crept beyond Kepa Arrizabalaga.

When we give away a stupid goal after five reasonably positive minutes, albeit a goal carved by a remarkable through ball you can feel the stadium deflate. “Well, that’s that then”, which it sort of was and sort of wasn’t. But what a half-witted way to concede, no wonder Ben Foster screamed with frustration. When you can’t score goals keeping it tight, particularly against an opponent like this one, one that revels in playing away from home, is everything.

We arrived in Vicarage Road to be greeted with a number of touts and one merchandise stand that had exclusively Chelsea scarves and tat, which irritated me immensely.

24th November 2018- Premier League, Watford 0 Liverpool 3

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Screen Shot 2018-11-30 at 21.08.43 Referee:Jonathan Moss Attendance:20,540

Watford Observer

Watford vs Liverpool: Relive coverage of the Premier League clash at Vicarage Road

Watford vs Liverpool: Hornets stung by second half strikes

Watford vs Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp salutes ‘really mature performance’

Watford vs Liverpool: Javi Gracia feels ‘bit unlucky’ with ‘some decisions’ for second game running

Watford Player Ratings: Ben Foster stars in Liverpool defeat

IN PICTURES: Images from Watford’s defeat to Liverpool

Watford’s Will Hughes says he was caught by Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson

FAN’S VIEW: Positives to be taken from Watford’s loss to Liverpool

Watford had the ball in the net inside three minutes but the goal was ruled out for offside. A long ball was touched on by Troy Deeney, allowing Gerard Deulofeu to race through but, as he slotted past Alisson, the offside flag was correctly raised.

Hosts Watford were aggrieved not to be awarded a penalty when Reds defender Andy Robertson appeared to foul Will Hughes while the score was level.

Although the tackle was clearly mistimed, it was hard to tell whether he made contact with Hughes. Watford’s players claimed there had been an obvious foul but the referee, Jon Moss, disagreed. Shortly after that Liverpool went in front thanks to the first high-class move of the match.

So the first of two home games in ten days against ostensibly the strongest clubs in the country. Beaten fair and square, but the scoreline doesn’t do justice to our performance which was better than that, or to the strategy selected which asked a lot of us but wasn’t a million miles from earning a result. Good decisions don’t guarantee good outcomes, it’s difficult to conceive of an approach that would have had a better chance of success.

Prior to kick-off there was a superb set of banners in the away end protesting Scudamore’s golden handshake. Well done to the Liverpool fans for that.

http://watford.fcdb.info?s=39639&id=5309

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10th November 2018- Premier League, Southampton 1 Watford 1

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Programme images courtesy of Matt Hall

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Referee:Simon Hooper

Attendance:28,153

clips of Jon Marks BBC 3CR commentary Goals: 1

Watford Observer

RELIVE: Southampton vs Watford: Jose Holebas secures a point at St Mary’s

Southampton vs Watford: Controversy surrounds two big decisions

Southampton vs Watford: Javi Gracia prompts laughter when asked about referee Simon Hooper’s key decisions in draw

Watford player ratings: Jose Holebas secures a point at Southampton

Watford’s Nathaniel Chalobah critical of referee after Southampton stalemate

Jose Holebas’ late strike denied Southampton a first Premier League win of the season at St Mary’s as Watford came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw on Saturday.

Despite Watford enjoying some good fortune to equalise, manager Javi Gracia also felt aggrieved not to be awarded a penalty when Ryan Bertrand appeared to foul Nathaniel Chalobah. “There were different situations that were difficult for the referee but it was a clear penalty,” he said.

The man at the centre of it all was Simon Hooper, the referee who up until the 57th minute was getting on with his duties with little fuss. But then came the meltdown. First, he failed to award Watford a clear penalty following Ryan Bertrand’s rash tackle on Nathaniel Chalobah and, six minutes later, decided to ruled out a second Southampton goal for what turned out to be a wholly incorrect reason.

“Tell you what Matt, the next time we come here, let’s not park in Portsmouth…?” Paul’s an affable sort of bloke, not one for unnecessary or exaggerated protest and in fairness he has a point. Our reserved parking space is actually only half a mile or so from the ground as the crow flies but with the River Itchen in the way it’s a good two miles as the Watford fan trudges. This seemed like a reasonable idea without the filter of the pissing rain, and on the way into Southampton the prospect of snarled traffic put us off from looking for something a bit closer. As it is we arrive damp and tired, and that classic football fan’s war wound, the burn on the roof of the mouth thanks to a hastily inhaled balti pie, doesn’t brighten the outlook. Loz materialises, over from gadding it in Spain, this helps, but as the teams come out it’s absolutely hammering it down.

Prior to kick-off there was a minute’s silence to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War which was accompanied by a rendition of The Last Post. The only other sound that could be heard was the rain on the roof of the stand.

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3rd November 2018- Premier League, Newcastle United 1 Watford 0

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Programme images courtesy of Matt Hall

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Watford Observer

RELIVE – Newcastle United vs Watford: Ayoze Perez header settles Premier League clash

Ayoze Perez’s header condemned Watford to a 1-0 defeat at St James’ Park as Newcastle recorded their first Premier League win of the season.

Newcastle United vs Watford: Missed opportunities disappoint Javi Gracia in Premier League defeat

Watford player ratings: Wastefulness undermines team performance in Newcastle United loss

IN PICTURES: Images from Watford’s defeat at Newcastle United

Adrian Mariappa: Wasteful Watford frustrate defender during Newcastle United loss

Newcastle recorded their first Premier League victory of the season as Ayoze Perez scored in a 1-0 win over Watford on Saturday. Having failed to win any of their opening 10 league games of a season for just the second time in their history, the relief around St James Park’ was clear to see when the striker headed home (64).

The Magpies rode their luck in the first half, with Watford duo Adrian Mariappa and Gerard Deulofeu both guilty of spurning excellent opportunities to put the Hornets ahead.

It might have been very different had Deufoleu been wearing his shooting boots but Fernández held Newcastle together commendably, his presence serving as a form of gloriously adhesive super-glue.

Yeah. Defeat, then. A bloody long way to come for an underwhelming outcome. If there was a consolation it was that there are worse places to visit than Newcastle with its admirable carpet of proper pubs. We visited a third before braving the train journey home.

There were a lot of angry Watford fans after the game. There was some justification for this as Newcastle had been very poor and were there for the taking. But the first half performance had been impressive and the Hornets should have been 3 or 4 up at half time. If the Pereyra shot that hit the crossbar early in the second half had gone in, we would have won the game. But Newcastle worked hard, managed to get a goal from a set piece and it seemed to be game over from that point. Still it is very dispiriting to hear so much anger directed at the players who have entertained us wonderfully so far this season. We are half way to safety with less than 30% of the games played, so are already on the way to having a great season. There will be the odd blip, but that shouldn’t derail the support as we are all in this together. It would be great if some of our more volatile supporters could remember that.

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27th October 2018- Premier League, Watford 3 Huddersfield Town 0

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Referee:Mike Dean

Attendance:20,457

clips of Jon Marks BBC 3CR commentary Goals:1 2 3

Watford Observer

RELIVE – Watford vs Huddersfield Town: Roberto Pereyra scores sublime solo goal in Premier League win

Watford vs Huddersfield Town: Roberto Pereyra, Gerard Deulofeu and Isaac Success goals secure triumph

Watford vs Huddersfield Town: Javi Gracia still seeking improvements after Terriers success

PICTURES: A selection of images as Watford see off Huddersfield Town

Watford player ratings: Gerard Deulofeu and Roberto Pereyra impress against Huddersfield Town

Will Hughes: Entire Watford squad benefitting from Roberto Pereyra and Gerard Deulofeu’s quality

Isaac Success: Will Hughes hails hard working Watford forward after impressive Huddersfield display

Watford: Isaac Success keen to build on goalscoring turn against Huddersfield Town

Watford defender Adrian Mariappa praised for being ‘always ready’ to play

Kiko Femenia believes Watford need to maintain high performance levels

Two sublime individual goals from Roberto Pereyra and Gerard Deulofeu helped Watford secure their best start to a top-flight season and send Huddersfield to the foot of the table.

Watford now boast 19 points from 10 games – bettering their 17 at the same stage of the 1982-83 campaign, where they finished second.

The current Watford manager could not be happier with his squad, but does not expect them to emulate Leicester’s shock title of 2015-16. “This is the best squad in the Premier League,” he said. “I don’t think we’d be able to achieve to win the championship. But we are going to try to enjoy every game, and try to do that for our supporters, help them enjoy it with us.

Nonetheless, here was a challenge we’ve rarely experienced before, certainly since the 1980s. That of being the side… not just favourites but comprehensive favourites, odds-on favourites, expected to win in a top flight game. As with all unfamiliar things it doesn’t feel altogether comfortable, as positive an indicator as it may be of the status to which we’ve elevated ourselves. You’re much less open to disappointment – and pressure – as the underdog. Nor had this edginess been improved by finding ourselves placed at exactly the same spot in Wagamama as we had been pre-Bournemouth. Or by discovering, now as then, that it was much bloody colder than anticipated necessitating hat purchase for the second home game on the trot. (Or, as an aside, that the hat was too small. The costume fitters of the Adhoc theatre group will roll their eyes, full of complaints at the the prohibitive size of my head. Nonetheless… a one size fits all hat shouldn’t be too small…).

The joy was tempered somewhat by the worrying news of Glenn Hoddle’s collapse. Then, when I returned home, I heard of the Leicester owner’s helicopter crashing and the death of a Brighton fan after their game. The Leicester owners have been such a boon to both the club and the town, when something so awful happens, all football fans share the pain. My thoughts are with the family and friends of all affected this weekend.

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