Tag Archives: Southampton

13th March 2022- Premier League, Southampton 1 Watford 2

WFC.net Jon Marks Goal Commentary: 1 2

Attendance: 28,863

BBC Sport: Cucho Hernandez scored twice as Watford boosted their hopes of securing Premier League survival with victory over Southampton at St Mary’s.

Sky Sports: Watford opened the scoring in the 14th minute when Hernandez pounced on Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu’s weak back-pass and found the net from a tight angle after rounding goalkeeper Fraser Forster.

The Guardian: Watford piled down the left and Juraj Kucka’s delicious first-time cross dropped at the back post, where the unmarked Hernández smacked in his second. It could have been 3-0 a few minutes later had Kucka taken the imposing Moussa Sissoko’s pass in his stride.

Fran’s Watford Blog: The celebrations in the away end and among the players were joyous. Cucho and Kamara took it in turns to get the away stand cheering and many of the players came over to hand their shirts to the Junior Hornets. Their day out had been a cracker.

30th October 2021- Premier League, Watford 0 Southampton 1

Attendance: 20.869

BBC Sport: Che Adam’s superb strike was the difference as Southampton held on against Watford at Vicarage Road for their first away league win of the season.

Sky Sports: Claudio Ranieri’s side came crashing back down to earth following their impressive 5-2 win at Everton last weekend, and it is now back-to-back home defeats for the Italian after he replaced Xisco Munoz as Watford manager earlier this month.

BHappy: Meanwhile, the second half had been preceded by a farewell to Emma Saunders, who moves on to Sky Sports. Two things to note here… first, it’s entirely appropriate that the wider Watford family are recognised in this way. Players and prominent coaching staff will sometimes get this stuff, ex-players too including the ever more rock’n’roll Ross Jenkins, also wheeled out here. But “the likes of Emma” (and those less visible still) deserve their recognition; those that find this a bit parochial can go screw themselves. But Emma in particular, along with Tommy Mooney, Jon Marks and everyone else involved, deserve one final round of applause for providing something to look forward to last season. Doubtless her star will continue to rise, but she deserves to be remembered fondly for her part in that whatever else she goes on to achieve.

Fran’s Watford Blog: After the excitement at Everton, it was all rather dull. It had been a much better second half from the Hornets but, despite the fact that we had more shots on target than the visitors, we rarely looked like scoring. Although we would have been a lot happier had that Fletcher shot gone in. Sarr has come in for a lot of criticism, as he is perceived to be looking uninterested, but he created the majority of the chances, sadly most of them went straight to McCarthy, but the highlights showed that Walker-Peters was rather fortunate to have cleared that chance off the line. But it is early days for Ranieri, so we have to hope that the form will improve soon.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59019335

28th June 2020- Premier League, Watford 1 Southampton 3

Nigel Pearson insists he is not worried about Watford situation

Nigel Pearson does not want Watford to focus on specific games for points

Andre Gray one of three Watford players dropped after lockdown party

Referee: Michael Oliver
Paying Attendance: 0

Own goal (79), 1-3

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The Golden Boys have it all to do in the remaining six games of this nerve-shredding Premier League season after they allowed one of the more winnable games to slip by this afternoon.

Watford concede three at home to Southampton

Lacklustre-Watford-well-beaten-at-home-by-Southampton-_-Watford-Observer Download

Following their defeat at Burnley on Thursday evening head coach Nigel Pearson said his side lacked cohesion, but there was even less of it on show at Vicarage Road as the visiting team took all three points with relative ease.

Nigel Pearson says Watford ‘fighting for their lives’ after Southampton defeat

Ings curled home the opener from 20 yards following Will Smallbone’s pass. And he blasted home a second – his 18th Premier League goal of the season – after controlling Ben Foster’s poor throw before surging towards the box.

Watford were handed a lifeline on 79 minutes when Southampton defender Jan Bednarek put through his own net, but the Hornets’ hopes were extinguished three minutes later by James Ward-Prowse’s spectacular free-kick.

Minute by minute

Southampton were good value for their second consecutive away win, secured thanks to a sharp double from Ings and a trademark free-kick from James Ward-Prowse. The anxiety weighed heavily on Watford, who remain a point above 18th-placed Bournemouth, and defeat was not a good look given that Nigel Pearson had to drop three players following an alleged lockdown breach involving Nathaniel Chalobah and Domingos Quina reportedly attending a party hosted by Andre Gray. “Until I know all the facts I am not making any further comment on that situation,” Pearson said.

The investigation should not take long. Gray posted videos of the party on Instagram. His Watford team-mates who did play created virtually nothing of note for lone target man Troy Deeney, to whom they kept pumping long balls much to the delight of Southampton’s centre-backs Jan Bednarek and Vestergaard.

If, like me, you’ve spent far longer than is strictly healthy in front of televised kind-of-football over the last twelve days (yes, it’s really only been twelve days) you’ll almost certainly have come to the reassuring conclusion that our “rivals” in the musical chairs mini-league at the bottom really aren’t very good. Perhaps this should be no surprise, that teams in a relegation scrap are a bit crap. No doubt it was ever thus, we’ve just never studied a relegation battle quite so forensically. Never been able to, not actually needed to for some time…. the last time we were involved in anything resembling a relegation scrap was Malky’s first season ten years ago, a season that Tom Cleverley, Aidy Mariappa and Craig Cathcart all featured in.

Project restart continues to be a false start for Watford, as Jon, Jas and Mike gather in the aftermath of another damaging display, this time against in form Southampton. The boys don’t pull any punches in their assessment of a listless display in which Watford failed to record a single shot on target. This combined with a litany of errors mean that positivity is pretty thin on the ground; despite a heartwarming message from young Arlo.

30th November 2019- Premier League, Southampton 2 Watford 1

Referee:Michael Oliver Attendance:26,929

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Match Report: Southampton 2-1 Watford

Watford beaten by Southampton in relegation scrap

Watford’s survival hopes take major blow with Southampton defeat

VAR officials were not given angle to disallow Southampton handball, claim Watford

Quique Sanchez Flores ‘not sure’ if he will keep Watford job

Watford players rated after being turned over by Southampton

Will Hughes ‘disappointed’ by inconsistent VAR after Watford lose to Southampton

Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores said he “suffers” for the fans, players and owner after defeat at fellow strugglers Southampton.

Both teams were languishing at the bottom of the table heading into the vital game at St Mary’s, and it was Watford who got themselves ahead in the first half as Ismaila Sarr (24) coolly finished for his first Premier League goal.

Hasenhüttl’s substitutes woke up Southampton, with Sofiane Boufal and Shane Long introduced approaching the hour mark, but in the buildup to Ings’s equaliser Moussa Djenepo appeared guilty of handball. It is understood the Premier League recognises the goal should have been disallowed by the video assistant referee but, at the time, the VAR did not have conclusive evidence; it is understood it took broadcasters eight minutes to find the definitive angle.

It soon got better for the long-suffering home support, who had witnessed just nine home wins in two and half seasons. Hojbjerg charged forward and was clipped just outside the area. Ward-Prowse whipped a 20-yard shot towards the top right corner which Foster could get a hand to, but not keep out.

With family commitments ruling out a trip to St Mary’s, Jon, Jas, Mike and Jordi gathered at Mike’s to watch Watford lose their must win fixture with fellow strugglers Southampton. It’s fair to say any pre-match optimism had well and truly evaporated by the final whistle; download the podcast to see if the team think the Hornet’s survival hopes have disappeared too.

23rd April 2019- Premier League, Watford 1 Southampton 1

Referee:
Mike Dean
Attendance:
19,170

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Relive our coverage of Watford’s match with Southampton in the Premier League

Andre Gray earns late Watford point after Southampton make history with opener

Javi Gracia ‘gives value’ to point after Watford draw with Southampton

Andre Gray says Watford’s draw at home to Southampton was ‘one point earned’

How we rated the Watford players against Southampton

Adam Masina believes Watford have right character after snatching late draw against Southampton

Andre Gray’s late equaliser salvaged Watford a point in a thrilling 1-1 draw with Southampton, who scored the fastest goal in Premier League history.

Shane Long had given the Saints an early lead when he scored the fastest goal in Premier League history. Long struck after just 7.69 seconds and Southampton held on to their lead until Watford’s Andre Gray levelled from close range.

Craig Cathcart won’t forget the record-breaking moment in a hurry either as the Watford defender was the man at fault. Roberto Pereyra sent the kick-off back to the defender, whose attempted long ball was charged down by Long, who sprinted goalwards before dinking daintily over goalkeeper Ben Foster.

This must count as one of the Premier League’s more surreal occasions, and not just because John Barnes graced this stadium’s turf again, this time with microphone in hand, to bellow a karaoke version of Rocket Man during the half-time interval. More remarkable still was Southampton scoring within eight seconds of Watford’s kick-off, or Shane Long’s continued transformation from shot-shy workhorse into prolific goalscorer. It was only when reality bit late-on that Watford made their own impression on the night.

It’s a funny old night, really. Funny old game, funny old night. The celebration of the imminent Elton John biopic is rather awkward and misjudged, at least in parts. There’s nothing wrong with a bit of half-time nonsense, especially with John Barnes involved and some season tickets up for grabs. It isn’t my cup of tea, but we all find our fun in different ways and we often find other people’s fun a bit cringeworthy.

Having finished my pre-match ritual of putting on my replica shirt and retrieving my notebook, pen and camera from my bag, I noticed a big white envelope by my seat. I opened it to find a sheet with the words of “Rocket Man”, as if I don’t already know them. Irritation at this distraction was compounded when I looked up to see Shane Long bearing down on goal and shooting past Foster. Only 7 seconds of the game had elapsed. I had missed Cathcart hitting a pass at Long to lead to this chance. I was devastated and, again, I blamed the decision to dispense with Z-cars. You don’t mess with something so important at such a crucial point in the season.

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

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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.

The visitors found a way back eight minutes from the end. Southampton failed to deal with a cross from the left, a deflected clearance and there was Jose Holebas to lash home, via a deflection off Cedric, from just inside the penalty area. Southampton were unable to contain their frustrations.

“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.

I thought Watford were a bit sluggish in the first half, sloppy in possession and just generally a bit lackluster. Second half however we were much improved, the introduction of Deeney shortly before halftime I think was crucial. If you take away just one trait, one characteristic of this Watford side so far this season it’s that they never give up. We pushed Southampton right until the end and threw the kitchen sink at grabbing a winner. The team spirit that Javi has created in this side is infectious.

This week podcast hears Colin head off to St Mary’s for a draw. It’s another one of our away day diaries where we talk you through our day and our conversations. You’ll hear him talk to many Watford fans, about their away trips and what makes a fantastic journey away from The Vic.

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