Watford have produced one of their poorest 45 minutes of the season and trail 1-0 against Stoke City at Vicarage Road.

There were four changes to the Hornets team which defeated Arsenal in the FA Cup quarter final last weekend. In came Heurelho Gomes, Miguel Britos, Mario Suarez and Jose Manuel Jurado.

Quique Sanchez Flores’ side had the better of the opening exchanges, with Odion Ighalo forcing Jack Butland into a low save after an excellent lay-off from Troy Deeney.

But, after getting through the opening ten minutes, Stoke began to dominate.

They were quicker to the ball, stronger in the tackle and more aggressive when they attacked.

The hosts created several chances and broke the deadlock in the 18th minute when Phil Bardsley crossed low for Jonathan Walters to thump home at the back post.

Marko Arnautovic has caused Allan Nyom countless problems in the opening period and he thought he’d added a second shortly before the break when he tapped home from another Bardsley cross. This time the offside flag saved Watford. It was a margin decision.

Joselu forced Gomes into a comfortable save before Watford created their best chance of the half.

Valon Behrami won back possession in midfield, Suarez played a pass to Ighalo and the ball broke for Jurado.

The Spaniard advanced into the Stoke penalty area and had a clear sight of goal.

But he rushed his shot and the ball flew over. It rather summed up Watford’s first half.

Watford: Gomes; Nyom, Britos, Cathcart, Ake; Behrami, Suárez, Capoue; Jurado, Deeney; Ighalo.

Watford substitutes: Pantilimon, Prödl, Watson, Abdi, Anya, Guedioura, Amrabat.

Stoke City: Butland; Bardsley, Cameron, Wollscheid, Muniesa; Whelan, Imbula; Walters, Affelay, Arnautovic; Joselu.

Stoke City substitutes: Haugaard, Ireland, Adam, Diouf, Teixeira, Crouch, Bojan.