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Sport

Salah scores twice as Liverpool sink struggling Watford

Salah
Liverpool (UK), Dec. 14, 2019 (Reuters/NAN) Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah kept up his scoring streak against Watford on Saturday at Anfield in a 2-0 win.

The Egyptian scored a brace as the English Premier League (EPL) leaders sealed victory over the bottom club.

The win restored Liverpool’s 11-point advantage over second-placed Leicester City, who host Norwich City later in the day.

It was however Watford’s fourth defeat in five games, and it left new manager Nigel Pearson’s side rooted to the bottom of the table.

Liverpool took the lead with a typically lethal counter-attack in the 38th minute as Sadio Mane collected the ball on the left and released Salah.

He sprinted towards goal before cutting in and curling a shot home with his right foot.

Mane thought he had doubled the lead five minutes after the break, but the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) showed he was marginally offside when nodding in from Xherdan Shaqiri’s whipped cross.

Salah then scored his eighth league goal against Watford in five matches with a brilliant back-heeled effort in added time to secure the three points for Juergen Klopp’s side.

The visitors had earlier missed the chance to go ahead when Abdoulaye Doucoure mishit his shot after Etienne Capoue escaped the offside trap to set him up.

Watford had scored only nine goals in the league coming into this game, and the reason for that became evident when poor finishing cost them yet again.

An unchallenged Ismaila Sarr scuffed his shot after goalkeeper Alisson Becker parried Gerard Deulofeu’s cross.(Reuters/NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Sport

EPL: Freakish goal gives Arsenal 1-0 win at 10-man Watford

Arsenal

Watford (UK), April 15, 2019 (Arsenal/NAN) Arsenal boosted their hopes of a top-four finish in the English Premier League after a bizarre 10th-minute goal by striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gave them a 1-0 win at 10-man Watford on Monday.

The result lifted the Gunners two places up to fourth on 66 points from 33 games, ahead of fifth-placed Chelsea on goal difference and two points in front of sixth-placed Manchester United.

Watford stayed 10th with 46 points.

The fast-paced clash took a decisive turn in a frantic one-minute spell early on, as Aubameyang found the back of the net in unlikely fashion.

And then Watford striker Troy Deeney was shown a straight red card for elbowing Lucas Torreira.

The home side’s goalkeeper Ben Foster dwelled on Daryl Janmaat’s back pass for too long, allowing Aubameyang to close him down and block his attempted goalmouth clearance.

The ball agonisingly ricocheted into the back of the net.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Watford kept pressing and missed a string of chances to draw level.
They were twice denied by the woodwork as well as by some good saves from Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno.

Aubameyang, Alex Iwobi, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan also came close at the other end,but Arsenal were forced to hang on in the closing stages with Watford throwing men forward. (Reuters/NAN)

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Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

Sport

Gray’s winner sends Watford into FA Cup semi-finals

FA Cup
Watford (UK), March 16, 2019 (Reuters/NAN) Watford beat Crystal Palace 2-1 on Saturday to reach their second FA Cup semi-final in four seasons, with substitute Andre Gray scoring the winner three minutes after coming off the bench.

Etienne Capoue side-footed Watford ahead in the 27th minute at a blustery Vicarage Road as the hosts controlled the first half, but Crystal Palace responded strongly after the break.

Michy Batshuayi punished a defensive lapse to equalise for Roy Hodgson’s side just past the hour mark.

It was Crystal Palace who then looked to have the upper hand moving into the closing stages.

But it was Watford who went on to secure a last-four date at Wembley through Gray, who had just replaced Will Hughes.

He volleyed in a 79th minute winner to send their fans home dreaming of a second FA Cup final appearance, after the 1984 showpiece which they lost.

But they had to survive a late scare though, when Crystal Palace’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka drilled a low shot wide after a defensive blunder.

Tearful Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes was given an emotional ovation at the end in what could be the Brazilian’s final appearance at Vicarage Road.

He has only played in the FA Cup run this season, with Ben Foster first choice in the league.

The 38-year-old said afterwards he was “99.9 percent’’ certain to retire to become a pastor at the end of the season when his contract expires.

Watford manager Javi Gracia, in his first full season at the club, said his side had “suffered” in the second half but was confident Gray could make the difference.

“It was a difficult moment when Crystal Palace equalised, but I was confident we would be able to win the game,” he said.

“We are ambitious. We want to achieve (by reaching) the final. That is our target.”

Gomes was the first goalkeeper called into action when he saved low down from Luka Milivojevic’s shot, but it was his opposite number Vincente Guaita who was busier.

He saved well from Gerard Deulofeu, but was at fault soon after when Jose Holebas’s corner kick left him in no man’s land.

Craig Cathcart prodded the ball back for Capoue to sidefoot high into an unguarded net.

Guaita made amends, keeping out a fierce drive by impressive FC Barcelona academy product Deulofeu.

Relegation-threatened Crystal Palace, without injured Wilfried Zaha, improved after the break and Watford began to look jittery.

In the 62nd minute Adrian Mariappa dithered on the ball and was dispossessed by Batshuayi.

The former Chelsea man then advanced before opening up his body and shooting past Gomes.

Roared on by their vocal fans, Crystal Palace looked likely to inflict more FA Cup heartbreak on Watford, who they beat in the semi-finals three years ago.

However, they were stopped in their tracks as Hodgson suffered a third quarter-final defeat.

In a rare Watford attack Roberto Pereyra’s superb pass picked out the run of Gray and he got just enough on his stretching volley to guide the ball past Guaita.

The goal sealed a hat-trick of 2-1 wins over Crystal Palace this season.

“We weathered a storm in the first half and when we equalised I felt good about our chances,” Hodgson said.

“We were looking dangerous and the Watford crowd had gone very quiet.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Super Eagles forward Isaac Success was an unused substitute for Watford in the thrilling encounter.(Reuters/NAN)
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(Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh and Olawale Alabi)

Sport

Stylish Liverpool thrash Watford 5-0 to stay top of EPL

Thrashing

Liverpool (UK), Feb. 27, 2019 (Reuters/NAN)

Liverpool rediscovered their swagger and stayed top of the Premier League with a thrilling 5-0 win over Watford that was powered by two goals apiece from Sadio Mane and Virgil van Dijk on Wednesday.

Senegalese striker Sane leapt between defenders to head a close-range ninth minute goal after a sumptuous cross from Liverpool’s marauding right back Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The young England international provided three assists on the night.

In the 20th minute, Sane received another pass in the box from Alexander-Arnold, first appearing to lose control of the ball before cheekily back-heeling it into the net past Watford keeper Ben Foster.

Belgian forward Divock Origi made it 3-0 in the 66th minute, cutting into the box from the left wing before firing past Foster at his near post.

Dutch defender van Dijk headed in the fourth and fifth goals late on as Watford were swept aside.

Liverpool could have bagged even more as Egyptian striker Mohamed Salah also ran Watford ragged.

It’s a different tale from a team who had failed to score in their last two games against Bayern Munich in the Champions League and Manchester United in the Premier League,

The result kept Liverpool top of the Premier League on 69 points, just ahead of Manchester City on 68 points after the champions’ 1-0 win over West Ham on Wednesday.

Manager Juergen Klopp looked delighted that his team had found their fluency and intensity again against the Hornets.

They had drawn three out of their last four league games to allow City back into the race. (Reuters/NAN)

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Edited by Felix Ajide

 

Sport

Pressure piles on Silva as Watford’s Gray strikes to sink Everton

Pressure
Watford (UK), Feb. 9, 2019 (Reuters/NAN) Substitute Andre Gray scored a second half winner as Watford beat Marco Silva’s Everton 1-0 in the English Premier League (EPL) on Saturday to heap the pressure on their former manager.

Silva’s first visit to Vicarage Road since being sacked by Watford last January ended with the home fans singing that he would suffer a similar fate at the Merseyside club.

Everton are now without a win after a run of three defeats in a stuttering campaign.

Forward Gray latched on to Will Hughes’ cross from the right following a delicate layoff from Craig Cathcart to tap the ball into the net on 65 minutes.

Gray had come on for midfielder Ken Sema after the break.

Stunned by the goal, Everton struggled to create clear goalscoring chances in the second half of the scrappy contest.

But Watford held firm to secure the victory and move up to 37 points.

Watford had nearly gone ahead in the 11th minute after Troy Deeney chested a hopeful cross into the path of Etienne Capoue.

But Capoue’s rising volley from point blank range glanced off goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s head and over the crossbar.

Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster saved Cenk Tosun’s stinging shot from distance in the 34th minute.

Gylfi Sigurdsson’s lobbed effort later came off the crossbar in the second half of a frustrating outing for the visitors.(Reuters/NAN)
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(Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh and Olawale Alabi)

Sport

Watford come from behind to win at Crystal Palace

Volley

London, Jan. 12, 2019 (Reuters/NAN) Watford substitute Tom Cleverley volleyed a brilliant 74th-minute winner as they came from behind to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 in the Premier League on Saturday.

Palace survived two shots against the same post in the third minute and went ahead seven minutes before halftime with a Craig Cathcart own goal in a goalmouth melee following a corner.

Defender Cathcart equalised in the 67th minute when he beat his marker James Tomkins to the ball at a corner.

He then headed the ball past substitute goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey at the far post with Watford’s first effort on target.

Cleverley then stunned Palace with the winner seven minutes later, volleying Tomkins’s clearance into the top corner.

Watford moved up to seventh on 32 points while Palace are 14th on 22, four points above the relegation zone.

Watford could have gone ahead after three minutes when Gerard Deulofeu hit the far post with a low shot from the right that beat Vicente Guaita’s dive and Roberto Pereyra hit the same upright with a follow-up shot.

Palace were left to rue poor finishing when James McArthur failed to turn in Wilfried Zaha’s cross from the left when he was almost on the line in the 70th minute.

Ben Foster made decisive saves to frustrate Zaha and Luka Milivojevic.

Goal-line technology was needed for the opener to be given, with the ball having gone in off Cathcart’s thigh, handing Palace a lead that had manager Roy Hodgson believing another victory was on the way.

“Tough to lose any game especially at home,” Hodgson said. “I was hoping we could get that elusive third straight victory.

“We started the second half brightly. The game evened out and while the game was still in the balance Tom Cleverley scored that wonderful volley.”

Zaha should have doubled Palace’s advantage just after halftime but saw his effort saved and that proved costly as Watford turned the match on its head.

Cathcart’s header made amends for his own goal before Cleverley’s first Premier League strike since October 2017 earned Watford the points.

“After conceding the first goal it was more difficult but we knew this team were conceding more goals in this period and it was our moment,” Watford manager Javi Gracia said.

“We created enough chances to win the game.” (Reuters/NAN)

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Edited by Felix Ajide

 

Sport

Gracia keen to extend Watford stay

Gracia keen to extend Watford stay

Watford (UK), Oct. 19, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Watford Manager Javi Gracia confirmed talks over extending his contract have been positive as he sees himself putting down roots at Vicarage Road.

The 48-year-old Spaniard arrived at Watford on an 18-month deal in January, following the departure of Marco Silva.

After leading the club to 14th last season and starting the new season with four wins in all competitions, Gracia is keen to extend his stay.

“I’ll like to be here more time because I am very settled here,” Gracia told the club’s official website.

“I see my long-term future here and I can fulfil my ambitions at this club. We are talking and talks are going well.

“I feel very happy here,” he added.

“In football, you never know what happens in the next two weeks, but I prefer to focus on the next game, to do my job, to do my best, so we’ll see.” (Reuters/NAN)

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Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Silas Nwoha

Sport

Watford beat Palace to maintain 100% record

Watford beat Palace to maintain 100% record

EPL

Watford (UK), Aug. 26, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Unfancied Watford continued their great start to the Premier League season with a third successive win when they beat visiting Crystal Palace 2-1 on Sunday.

It is the first time they have begun with three wins out of three in the top tier of English football, keeping them right up among the early pacemakers.

Etienne Capoue might have been sent off for an early foul on Wilfried Zaha, so Palace were aggrieved that he made the opening goal for Roberto Pereyra in the 53rd minute.

Defender Jose Holebas doubled the lead with what he confessed was a cross before Zaha reduced the arrears 12 minutes from the end.

Palace wasted a glorious chance to draw in the final seconds of added time when Joel Ward headed wide from a corner after being left unmarked.

Zaha was a central figure from the fourth minute of a feisty encounter, when many observers felt Capoue should have received a red card rather than a yellow for a foul on him.

Within three more minutes Zaha himself was booked.

His team had started well and former England goalkeeper Ben Foster kept the home side in the game early on with two fine saves.

Dangerous winger Andros Townsend created each chance.

Watford took 20 minutes to threaten, when Argentine forward Pereyra had one shot blocked and then another saved in quick succession.

Then Dutchman Daryl Janmaat, the third of six players booked, finished a good move by shooting just wide.

The home side’s pressure was maintained either side of halftime and after wasting one chance by shooting wildly, Pereyra took Capoue’s pass for a low finish into the corner of the net.

Christian Benteke created the best chance to equalise before Holebas deceived goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey from out on the left wing.

“It should be a cross to be honest, on my weak foot, but I think no-one complained that it went in,” the Greek international fullback said.

Zaha cut in to shoot through Foster’s legs and ensure an exciting finish in which Ward’s miss denied Palace a point, keeping them in mid-table with three points.

Watford captain Troy Deeney felt his team had luck on their side.

“We were poor by our standards but the grit and determination and will to win has been clear to everyone.

“We got lucky but it gives us confidence we can be poor and still get results,” he said. (Reuters/NAN)

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Edited by Salif Atojoko

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Sport

Deeney inspires Watford to 3-1 win at Burnley

Deeney inspires Watford to 3-1 win at Burnley

EPL

Burnley (UK), Aug. 19, 2018 (Reuters/MNAN) Second half strikes from skipper Troy Deeney and Will Hughes gave Watford an impressive 3-1 win at Burnley in the Premier League on Sunday.

Former Burnley forward Andre Gray opened the scoring in the third minute with a superbly taken volley from a fine Deeney cross from the right flank.

Three minutes later, though, Burnley got back on level terms when James Tarkowski rose well at the back post to head in a Johann Berg Gudmundsson corner.

After an evenly balanced and entertaining first half, Watford hit Burnley, who have now gone seven league games without a win, twice after the break.

Deeney drove home in the 48th minute after being found in the box by Abdoulaye Doucoure.

Then a terrible giveaway by Burnley defender Matt Lowton to Will Hughes resulted in the Watford midfielder firing past Joe Hart with a brilliant left-foot strike. (Reuters/NAN)

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Edited by Salif Atojoko

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Sport

Watford ease to Brighton victory as Fraser, Wilson help Bournemouth beat promoted Cardiff

EPL

Watford (UK), Aug. 11, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Roberto Pereyra scored twice as Watford opened their Premier League campaign with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.

The Argentina international opened the scoring with a stunning volley, showing great composure to sweetly convert from Jose Holebas’ corner in the 35th minute.

The 27-year-old Pereyra doubled the hosts’ advantage soon after the break, driving into the box before curling a neat finish into the far corner from a tight angle.

Watford had 19 shots and could have won by more against a Brighton side who failed to register an effort on target in a disappointing opening-day defeat.

Elsewhere, promoted Cardiff City’s first Premier League match for four years ended in a 2-0 defeat by Bournemouth.

Midfielder Ryan Fraser’s first-half goal and forward Callum Wilson’s late strike secured victory at the Vitality Stadium.

Bournemouth dominated possession and deserved their 24th-minute lead as Scotland international Fraser latched on to Wilson’s low pass inside the penalty area and slotted past goalkeeper Neil Etheridge.

Wilson won a penalty nine minutes later following a clumsy challenge by Cardiff defender Bruno Ecuele Manga.

However, the forward failed to double his team’s advantage as his weak shot effort was comfortably saved by Etheridge.

Neil Warnock’s Cardiff side showed attacking intent after the break and had a couple of chances to equalise.

But Wilson ended their hopes of a comeback by converting defender Simon Francis’ cross from close range in stoppage time. (Reuters/NAN)
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Edited by Felix Ajide