Defence the new priority for Watford as Pozzo faces up to his mistakes | Simon Burnton
27/07/2020 - Club will not rush to appoint manager and will avoid expensive forward gambles but talented young Expand
27/07/2020 - Club will not rush to appoint manager and will avoid expensive forward gambles but talented young players offer hope As the season progressed and their team failed to drag themselves clear of the relegation battle Watford were forced to draw up detailed contingency plans in case the worst was to happen, but until Sunday they continued to believe they would find a way out of danger. Those who had assembled the squad were convinced of the quality of its leading lights – the likes of Ismaïla Sarr, Abdoulaye Doucouré, Gerard Deulofeu, Troy Deeney and Étienne Capoue – and whatever the mounting evidence presented by the league table found it inconceivable that they would fail.On Monday they gathered at the training ground at London Colney, separated by just a hedge from the Arsenal team whose victory over them, and defeat to Aston Villa, across the final week had sealed their fate, and confronted the fact that the worst-case scenario was indeed the one they had to deal with. Related: Collapse
Arsenal 3-2 Watford: Hornets relegated from Premier League – as it happened
26/07/2020 - Watford conceded a first-minute penalty and it went downhill from there, despite a bright Expand
26/07/2020 - Watford conceded a first-minute penalty and it went downhill from there, despite a bright performance and a string of chances against a poor Arsenal 6.38pm BST And with that I’m going to check out. Congratulations to Aston Villa for surviving, to Manchester United and Chelsea for qualifying for the Champions League, and to Liverpool for being magnificent champions. Bring on next season (12 September, if you’re asking). Bye! 6.34pm BST And Andy Hunter saw Bournemouth seal three points but fall short of safety at Goodison Park:It was on the long walk out of Goodison Park towards the temporary changing room behind the Park End Stand that Bournemouth discovered their five-year residence in the Premier League was over. Eddie Howe’s side delivered as they had to, ending Everton’s 11-game unbeaten home run and recording the club’s first ever win at Goodison, but there would be no helping hand from elsewhere.Bournemouth thoroughly merited the win that ended Carlo Ancelotti’s own unbeaten Collapse
The Premier League's overachievers, underachievers and those on par | Paul Wilson
25/07/2020 - Liverpool’s ruthless consistency and Sheffield United’s ability to adapt exceeded expectations, Expand
25/07/2020 - Liverpool’s ruthless consistency and Sheffield United’s ability to adapt exceeded expectations, but Arsenal and Spurs slumped, while Manchester City and United have been satisfactoryLeague tables may never lie, though everyone knows they can be economical with the truth. By Sunday evening we will have our final Premier League table, after an extraordinarily difficult season is played out to a compromised but fair conclusion. Yet what the record books and finishing positions never quite reveal is what was expected of teams beforehand.Some teams in the top half of the table will be disappointed with their place in the order of things, whereas some teams in the bottom half will be relieved. What follows is an attempt to break up the table into three groups: those who have done better than anticipated, those who have done worse and those who have simply completed the course with an acceptable but unspectacular score. Related: Three into two will not go as race for Champions League enters Collapse
Mikel Arteta says Arsenal have to respect Watford's relegation fight
23/07/2020 - Opponents have to do better than Aston Villa to survive‘I want to play as strong a team as I can,’ Expand
23/07/2020 - Opponents have to do better than Aston Villa to survive‘I want to play as strong a team as I can,’ he saysMikel Arteta has promised Arsenal will not let up against Watford on Sunday, a game that has major implications for the relegation battle if not for his own team’s prospects.Arsenal cannot finish higher than eighth, guaranteeing their worst league season for 25 years, but their opponents must outdo Aston Villa’s performance at West Ham if they are to survive. With an FA Cup final against Chelsea approaching it could be a logical time to rest tired legs but Arteta feels a duty towards the integrity of what will be a nailbiting day at the bottom. Related: Ben Foster admits Watford confidence is 'crazy low' after slipping into drop zone Related: For drama the insanely unpredictable Championship cannot be beaten Continue reading... Collapse
Watford 0-4 Manchester City: Premier League – as it happened
21/07/2020 - City strolled to victory as relegation-threatened Watford’s goal difference took a costly Expand
21/07/2020 - City strolled to victory as relegation-threatened Watford’s goal difference took a costly battering 8.16pm BST David Hytner was at Vicarage Road to see Raheem Sterling put Watford to the sword yet again. Here’s his report. Thanks for reading this MBM! Related: Watford's survival hopes hit as Raheem Sterling sparks Manchester City rout 8.15pm BST Watford keeper Ben Foster speaks. “I don’t think we helped ourselves. It’s a case of confidence at the minute, it’s so crazy low. I don’t know why that is. You get in a state of trying to minimise the damage, but it’s such a dangerous way to approach games. But they’re Man City, they’re very, very good. We’re well versed in what goes on at this club, it is what it is, you honestly get used to it in football nowadays, nothing ever seems to shock, you’ve just got to roll with the punches. You can’t blame anyone else for our own performances, we’ve got to look at ourselves. We’ve got a massive game on Sunday, and that’s all we’ve got to look at Collapse
West Ham United 3-1 Watford: Premier League – as it happened
17/07/2020 - West Ham won the big relegation face-off with ease, blowing Watford away with a first-half, Expand
17/07/2020 - West Ham won the big relegation face-off with ease, blowing Watford away with a first-half, three-goal blitz 10.07pm BST An extremely happy Declan Rice talks to Sky. “Jesus Christ! We started really well. Three great goals. But our second-half performance wasn’t good enough. We need to stop being in the comfort zone, dropping deep. But luckily enough we got the win. Tonight is massive, the fans were nervous and I’m so happy we could give them the three points. When I saw my shot hit the back of the net, it was a great feeling, to get one on a special night like this, I’m over the moon. We can’t say we’re safe yet, because it’s not mathematically done. It’s not over to the final day, and we’ll keep fighting. Special mention to the manager as well, they work 24/7 to get the best team out.” 10.00pm BST Yep, West Ham are pretty much safe now. They’re six clear of the danger zone with two games to play, and no team has ever been relegated from such a position. They’ve also got a much Collapse
Watford 2-1 Newcastle United: Premier League – as it happened
11/07/2020 - Troy Deeney scored two violent penalties as Watford came from behind to earn a vital victory over Expand
11/07/2020 - Troy Deeney scored two violent penalties as Watford came from behind to earn a vital victory over Newcastle at Vicarage Road 2.30pm BST Here’s more on the news that Norwich have done one from the Premier League Related: Norwich relegated from Premier League as West Ham's Antonio hits four 2.25pm BST Still want more? Related: Liverpool v Burnley: Premier League – live! 2.24pm BST Peep peep! Watford are six points clear of the relegation places, and tantalisingly close to safety, after their second comeback victory in five days. They were outplayed in the first half by a confident Newcastle, but were much more aggressive after the break and earned a deserved victory through a pair of violent penalties from Troy Deeney. 2.20pm BST 90+2 min Danny Welbeck is replaced by Andre Gray. 2.19pm BST 90 min Hughes is booked for fouling Joelinton. There will be five minutes of added time. 2.18pm BST 89 min Newcastle can’t get out of their own half. 2.15pm BST 86 min Another Newcastle Collapse
Olivier Giroud puts Chelsea on path to comfortable win over Watford
04/07/2020 - At a chilly, damp, echoey Stamford Bridge Chelsea had too much guile and craft for an eager but Expand
04/07/2020 - At a chilly, damp, echoey Stamford Bridge Chelsea had too much guile and craft for an eager but limited Watford team.Goals from Olivier Giroud and Willian towards the end of the first half were enough to overwhelm opponents who spent much of the opening 80 minutes crouched behind a dogged defensive guard. Related: Chelsea 3-0 Watford: Premier League – as it happened Related: Bukayo Saka hooks home to cast new hope for Arsenal at Wolves Continue reading... Collapse
Watford 1-3 Southampton: Premier League – as it happened
28/06/2020 - Two goals from Danny Ings and a great free-kick from James Ward-Prowse plunged Watford deep into Expand
28/06/2020 - Two goals from Danny Ings and a great free-kick from James Ward-Prowse plunged Watford deep into relegation trouble 6.46pm BST Here’s Jacob Steinberg’s report from Vicarage Road Related: Danny Ings' double for Southampton leaves Watford in deep trouble 6.42pm BST Danny Ings speaks.It was a physical battle. We really fought well for the second balls . It was nice, I love cutting in from the left. It was little bit of a gift, aimed it to the far corner and it went in. It was important we came here and did something. Our centre-halves were unbelievable in the air. [Golden boot] To be honest, no, I just want to play each game and score goals for the team. My focus is just on trying to score some more. 6.28pm BST Watford deep in trouble by the looks of this. 6.25pm BST Watford are deep in trouble and lucky that everyone else around them is also playing like a drain. Southampton were excellent in all areas and two-goal Danny Ings was deadly. A superb free-kick from James Ward-Prowse Collapse
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Premier League 2019-20 review: matches of the season
27/07/2020 - Watford’s jaw-dropping win over Liverpool and Brighton and West Ham’s slapstick six-goal draw Expand
27/07/2020 - Watford’s jaw-dropping win over Liverpool and Brighton and West Ham’s slapstick six-goal draw stick in the mindWelcome to theguardian.com review of the 2019-20 Premier League season. We have nominated some contenders for this category but this is just to get the discussion going: offer your suggestions below the line … Continue reading... Collapse
Watford relegated from Premier League as Aubameyang fires Arsenal win
26/07/2020 - Some of Watford’s players sank to their knees; others made for the tunnel without a moment’s Expand
26/07/2020 - Some of Watford’s players sank to their knees; others made for the tunnel without a moment’s delay. The whistle had just blown on their five years in the Premier League and nobody could say that, when the occasion demanded they hurl the kitchen sink at Arsenal, they did not go down without a fight. Their caretaker manager, Hayden Mullins, cajoled an insistent performance from his players but it was not enough despite a string of opportunities coming and going throughout. In the end they paid the price for seeing the game slip beyond them in the first period, when below-par opponents scored three times, and the consequences will be severe. Related: Premier League clockwatch: Aston Villa survive at expense of Bournemouth! Continue reading... Collapse
Watford's Hayden Mullins takes advice from Guardiola for survival showdown
24/07/2020 - Mullins spoke to Manchester City manager after 4-0 defeatWatford must better Aston Villa’s result Expand
24/07/2020 - Mullins spoke to Manchester City manager after 4-0 defeatWatford must better Aston Villa’s result on Sunday to stay upHayden Mullins has revealed he received uplifting advice from Pep Guardiola after Watford’s defeat by Manchester City on Tuesday, a result that has left them clinging on for survival before the final day of the Premier League season.Watford travel to Arsenal on Sunday knowing they must outdo Aston Villa’s performance at West Ham to stand a chance of escaping relegation. It has been a harsh baptism for Mullins, who is the club’s lead under-23 coach but was plunged into a caretaker role with the seniors for the second time this season after Nigel Pearson’s dismissal last weekend. Related: Relegation zone: What Aston Villa, Watford and Bournemouth need to do Continue reading... Collapse
Ben Foster says Watford confidence is 'crazy low' as side slip into bottom three
21/07/2020 - 4-0 loss to Man City puts club in drop zone on goal differenceWatford face tough trip to Arsenal Expand
21/07/2020 - 4-0 loss to Man City puts club in drop zone on goal differenceWatford face tough trip to Arsenal on final day of seasonBen Foster has described Watford’s confidence as “crazy low” after they were beaten 4-0 at home by Manchester City on an evening when they slipped to third from bottom in the Premier League table.The only consolation for them during the game was that the scoreline was not heavier. City hogged 76% of possession and had 25 shots to Watford’s two. But Watford, who sacked Nigel Pearson, on Sunday and are now under the caretaker charge of Hayden Mullins, entered full panic mode later on Tuesday when Aston Villa secured a vital 1-0 home win over Arsenal. Related: Watford's survival hopes hit as Raheem Sterling sparks Manchester City rout Continue reading... Collapse
Nigel Pearson was too wedded to his formation and selections at Watford | Simon Burnton
20/07/2020 - While the Pozzo family have perhaps turned the club into a laughing stock, they have also turned Expand
20/07/2020 - While the Pozzo family have perhaps turned the club into a laughing stock, they have also turned it into one for whom relegation from the top flight is considered failureNigel Pearson arrived with Watford bottom of the league with eight points after 15 games, seven away from the last safe spot. He departs with them 17th and three away from trouble. The team won 26 points during his 20 games in charge, the league’s 13th-best record between those dates, one ahead of Champions League-chasing Leicester. He has taken a team that had seemed destined for relegation and given them a very real chance of survival, as well as masterminding a victory over Liverpool that stands as one of the finest results and performances in the club’s history.These were the facts that led those with only a superficial knowledge of the goings-on at Vicarage Road in recent months to greet news of Pearson’s sacking with incredulity. “He’s given them spirit, he’s given belief back, he’s given the fans [and] the Collapse
West Ham take huge step towards safety and push Watford closer to danger
17/07/2020 - While West Ham delivered, moving close to safety after producing the consistency David Moyes Expand
17/07/2020 - While West Ham delivered, moving close to safety after producing the consistency David Moyes craves, the pressure weighed heavily on Watford. Nigel Pearson’s side fell apart on a torrid night at the London Stadium and will be full of anxiety before their final two games.Relegation beckons if Watford defend this badly against Manchester City and Arsenal, even though they remain three points above Bournemouth and Aston Villa. It was too easy for West Ham to pull six points clear of the bottom three thanks to goals from Michail Antonio, Tomas Soucek and Declan Rice in the first half. Watford were abject. They froze in the opening period and deserved nothing despite a belated rally. Related: Frustrated David Moyes urges West Ham to promise less and deliver more Related: Unity, trust and tactics, tactics, tactics: how Leeds made it back Continue reading... Collapse
Danny Welbeck bicycle kick seals Watford fightback against Norwich
07/07/2020 - Here’s a pro tip, from an extremely amateur footballer. Shouting “time” at a player in possession Expand
07/07/2020 - Here’s a pro tip, from an extremely amateur footballer. Shouting “time” at a player in possession – a staple of the grassroots game I am gratified to report is just as prevalent at the elite level – is not, remarkably enough, going to calm him down.Screaming at a teammate they are under no pressure is not the best way of relieving said pressure. Meditative pauses for reflection are rarely provoked by having half a dozen grown men desperately howling at you from 60 yards away. Related: Chelsea hang on at Crystal Palace to maintain Champions League push Continue reading... Collapse
Chelsea 3-0 Watford: Premier League – as it happened
04/07/2020 - Goals from Olivier Giroud, Willian and Ross Barkley gave Chelsea a very comfortable victory at Expand
04/07/2020 - Goals from Olivier Giroud, Willian and Ross Barkley gave Chelsea a very comfortable victory at Stamford Bridge 9.53pm BST Peep peep! Chelsea move back into the top four with a solid victory over Watford. It was never really in doubt from the moment Olivier Giroud gave them the lead with a smart finish in the first half. Willian’s penalty made it 2-0 at the break, and Ross Barkley decorated the cake in injury time. 9.51pm BST Ross Barkley completes a comfortable win for Chelsea. It was a nice move on the left, involving Loftus-Cheek, Pulisic and then Azpilicueta. His precise cutback found Barkley, who controlled the ball with his right foot and belted it into the net with his left. 9.50pm BST 90+1 min Four minutes of added time. 9.50pm BST 90 min At the other end, Welbeck dances away from Christensen on the byline and slides the ball towards Hughes in the six-yard box. It ricochets off Loftus-Cheek and behind for what should have been a corner, but was given as a goalkick. 9.49pm BST Collapse
Danny Ings' double for Southampton leaves Watford in deep trouble
28/06/2020 - It was not hard to spot the team fighting against relegation. While Southampton cruised to another Expand
28/06/2020 - It was not hard to spot the team fighting against relegation. While Southampton cruised to another straightforward victory on the road thanks to a finishing masterclass from Danny Ings, Watford were choked by fear and wasted another opportunity to haul themselves away from the bottom three.Southampton were good value for their second consecutive away win, secured thanks to a typically sharp double from Ings and a trademark free-kick from James Ward-Prowse. The anxiety weighed heavily on Watford, who remain a point above Bournemouth in 18th place, 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. Related: Watford 1-3 Southampton: Premier League – live! Related: Andre Gray one of three Watford players dropped after lockdown party Continue reading... Collapse
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Dean Smith pays tribute to late father after Aston Villa's great escape
26/07/2020 - Eddie Howe noncommittal on future at relegated BournemouthTroy Deeney says he could leave Watford Expand
26/07/2020 - Eddie Howe noncommittal on future at relegated BournemouthTroy Deeney says he could leave Watford after their relegationAn emotional Dean Smith paid tribute to his late father after securing Aston Villa’s Premier League survival on a pulsating final day of the season. A long and emotional campaign culminated in a 1-1 draw at West Ham, and afterwards it was only natural for Smith’s thoughts to turn to his father Ron, who died of Covid-19 at the end of May aged 79.“It’s been an emotional period,” said Smith, after emerging from a jubilant Villa dressing room with a beer in hand. “I’ve just spoken to the whole family in their living room, and they’re immensely proud. A lot of people have lost their lives due to the pandemic, including my father, and he’ll be looking out for us, I’m sure.” Related: Aston Villa cling on at West Ham to clinch Premier League survival Related: Bournemouth's victory in vain as five-year stay in top flight comes to an end Continue reading... Collapse
Watford can evoke spirit of Tevez to beat drop, says Hayden Mullins
25/07/2020 - Caretaker manager was part of the West Ham squad that secured an unlikely escape from relegation Expand
25/07/2020 - Caretaker manager was part of the West Ham squad that secured an unlikely escape from relegation thanks to the Argentina striker’s goal at Old Trafford in 2007Hayden Mullins believes his Watford side can channel the spirit of Carlos Tevez and West Ham’s dramatic escape from relegation in 2007 when they embark on their own survival bid against Arsenal.Tevez was the goalscorer when West Ham won at Old Trafford, against a Manchester United side that had already won the Premier League, on the final day of the campaign. Mullins, who replaced him as a substitute, must now spur Watford to comparable heroics as caretaker manager and thinks he has the tools to repeat the Argentinian’s impact. Related: Watford's Hayden Mullins takes advice from Guardiola for survival showdown Continue reading... Collapse
Relegation zone: What Aston Villa, Watford and Bournemouth need to do
24/07/2020 - Three clubs go into the final day desperate to avoid dropping into the Championship – one will Expand
24/07/2020 - Three clubs go into the final day desperate to avoid dropping into the Championship – one will stay in the Premier LeagueSunday’s fixture West Ham (a) What they need To match Watford’s result, including no loss of a narrow goal difference advantage, and take a point if Bournemouth win Related: Dean Smith urges Aston Villa to win final game and secure great escape Related: Ben Foster admits Watford confidence is 'crazy low' after slipping into drop zone Related: Liverpool's trophy and Championship madness – Football Weekly Extra Continue reading... Collapse
Watford's survival hopes hit as Raheem Sterling sparks Manchester City rout
21/07/2020 - Watford’s players had not seen it coming despite the downward trends over the previous 14 Premier Expand
21/07/2020 - Watford’s players had not seen it coming despite the downward trends over the previous 14 Premier League games and, even by the standards of the club owner, Gino Pozzo, the decision to sack Nigel Pearson was a brutal one. With just two matches of the season remaining, the idea was to jolt the players into action. If Pozzo felt that they were drifting under their former manager, then something had to change and quickly. Could they eke out something extra under the interim coach, Hayden Mullins? Related: Watford 0-4 Manchester City: Premier League – as it happened Continue reading... Collapse
Nigel Pearson sacked by Watford after guiding club towards unlikely escape
19/07/2020 - Watford currently three points above drop zone Pearson took over in December with club rock Expand
19/07/2020 - Watford currently three points above drop zone Pearson took over in December with club rock bottomNigel Pearson has been sacked as Watford manager, seven months after taking over the team at the bottom of the Premier League table and having guided them to the verge of an unlikely escape with two games to play. Related: West Ham take huge step towards safety and push Watford closer to danger Continue reading... Collapse
Troy Deeney penalty double earns Watford comeback win over Newcastle
11/07/2020 - Troy Deeney scored a brace of penalties as Watford came from behind to beat Newcastle and take a Expand
11/07/2020 - Troy Deeney scored a brace of penalties as Watford came from behind to beat Newcastle and take a huge step towards securing Premier League survival.As they did against Norwich in midweek, the Hornets conceded first at Vicarage Road before rallying back to win 2-1 - this time Deeney hammering home two spot-kicks after Dwight Gayle had given the visitors a half-time lead. Related: Watford 2-1 Newcastle United: Premier League – as it happened Related: Norwich relegated from Premier League as West Ham's Antonio hits four Continue reading... Collapse
Watford 2-1 Norwich: Premier League – as it happened
07/07/2020 - Watford got the win they so desperately needed against rock-bottom and almost-done-for Norwich Expand
07/07/2020 - Watford got the win they so desperately needed against rock-bottom and almost-done-for Norwich thanks to Danny Welbeck’s splendid overhead 8.21pm BST Right then, I’ll be off. It was a game that showed, more than anything, why these sides are both struggling to stay in this division. I still wouldn’t be surprised if neither does, but the win at least gives Watford a healthy chance of survival. Here are those all-important remaining fixtures again. Bye! 8.05pm BST Norwich are 10 points and a whole load of goal difference from safety, and their race is basically run. There was encouragement to be had here, and they’d have had a point as well if Idah had converted that late chance, but that won’t really help them. Watford are suddenly on 31 points and might conceivably survive with 34. They still haven’t played at all well since the restart, but another drab, slightly fortunate victory over Newcastle on Saturday would lighten the mood considerably. I really think that Deeney is causing Collapse
Watford's Andre Gray apologises for breaching lockdown rules
29/06/2020 - Forward vows to do what it takes ‘to make it right’Chalobah and Quina joined him for ‘football Expand
29/06/2020 - Forward vows to do what it takes ‘to make it right’Chalobah and Quina joined him for ‘football tournament’The Watford forward Andre Gray has apologised after a breach of lockdown rules led to him being dropped at the weekend.Gray and his teammates Nathaniel Chalobah and Domingos Quina were omitted for the Premier League defeat against Southampton on Sunday after reports that he held a birthday party at his home. Related: Andre Gray one of three Watford players dropped after lockdown party Continue reading... Collapse
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