Burnley vs Watford as it happened: Hornets find form away from home as Burnley continue to struggle
Will Hughes put the finishing touch to a rare away win for Watford, who ended a torrid run on the road by putting away Burnley 3-1 at Turf Moor.
Javi Gracia's side had not won in their previous 12 Premier League trips, losing 11 and failing to score in their previous eight.
But 13 proved a lucky number, with the Hornets twice taking the lead through Andre Gray and Troy Deeney before Hughes beat Joe Hart with a sweet strike from 20 yards.
57 mins: United's defence is an absolute sideshow. The nervousness and anxiety in the backline is clear to see. Every player who receives the ball looks uncomfortable and Brighton will look to press more.
It was absolutely crazy defending to give away the penalty in the first place.
Fred's miscontrol led to a Brighton break and Gross found himself with time between the centre backs and as he set himself for the strike, Bailly needlessly slid in and took the winger out.
Considering that United fought their way back into the contest and were looking at taking a 2-1 deficit into the break, this will be a truly disastrous first half.
The match will not be shown live on TV or online in the UK.
Highlights will be available at 10:30PM on BBC One.
It’s a big game for…
Aaron Lennon: The 31-year-old winger found it tough against Bertrand last weekend, but his finishing has been found wanting so far in the league and the Europa League. He has kept showing for the ball and has had chances, and Sean Dyche will hope he can rediscover his form soon.
Lennon has showed flashes of quality at Burnley (Getty Images)
Stat…
Three: Burnley have won three of the four Premier League fixtures between these two sides, including both fixtures last season. Watford’s sole victory came in February last calendar year.
Remember when…
The sides became acclimatised to playing each other in the ten-year period 2004-2014, playing each other 16 times in the Championship altogether. However, few games have seen as bizarre a goal, or rather own goal, than the one in February 2011 from Dale Bennett. The match was only eight minutes old when a goalkeeper Lee Grant attempted to clear a long ball, but succeeded only in kicking it against his defender to open the scoring. Burnley went on to win the game at Vicarage Road 3-1.
Player to watch…
Joe Hart: The former Manchester City goalkeeper made a string of fine saves in the second half to keep Southampton at bay, and with Tom Heaton and the injured Nick Pope as Sean Dyche’s other options as number one, the 31-year-old will know he cannot rest on his laurels. Two successive clean sheets would suggest that he is on his way to establishing himself as first choice though.
(Getty)
Past three-meetings…
Watford 1 (Pereyra) Burnley 2 (Vokes, Cork), Premier League, April 2018
Burnley 1 (Arfield) Watford 0, Premier League, December 2017
Watford 2 (Deeney, Niang) Burnley 1 (Barnes pen), Premier League, February 2017
Form guide…
BURNLEY: D
WATFORD: W
Odds…
Burnley to win: 11/8
Watford to win: 12/5
Draw: 41/20
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