Martin Atkinson will take charge of a Watford game for the first time this season when he referees Tottenham Hotspur’s visit to Vicarage Road.

The 46-year-old was last the man in the middle for a Hornets game last season, overseeing March’s 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

That clash was one of three Watford games Atkinson officiated last term, with the 1-0 FA Cup defeat to Millwall and dramatic 4-2 comeback win over West Ham also being refereed by the Yorkshireman.

Atkinson has shown 21 yellow cards and one red card in the nine games he has taken charge of this season.

His dismissal of Hal Robson-Kanu drew criticism from some quarters, and West Brom appealed against the red card which was shown for an elbow.

However, the FA deemed the sending off to be a fair one and upheld Atkinson’s decision, resulting in a three game ban for the Wales forward.

Tottenham fans will have bad memories of Atkinson who took charge of their 4-2 FA Cup semi-final loss to Chelsea in May.