Watford - who have been down to ten men for all but 25 seconds of the first half - currently trail Bournemouth 1-0 at half time of their Championship clash.

Gabriele Angella was dismissed inside the opening minute for a foul on Callum Wilson. It was the wrong decision from referee Lee Probert.

For most of the half the Hornets battled and kept the Cherries at bay but their resistance was broken when Craig Cathcart fouled Wilson in the penalty area and Yann Kermorgant scored from the spot.

There were two changes to the Watford side which thumped Blackpool last weekend. Gianni Munari and Ben Watson replaced Juan Carlos Paredes and Matej Vydra.

Watford lined up in their usual 3-5-2 formation. It remained that way for just 25 seconds. 

Callum Wilson collected the ball and advanced at Angella, the Italian’s tackle was poor and he fouled the striker.

It was a straightforward decision. A booking and a free kick. However, Probert shockingly raised a red card.

It was the wrong call. No doubt about it. Craig Cathcart was covering, so Angella wasn’t the last man, and Wilson’s touch had also taken the ball to Heurelho Gomes.

Despite Watford’s protestations, Probert was unmoved. The Hornets had to face one of their automatic promotion rivals for more than 90 minutes, including added on time.

The Golden Boys battled well and offered hope when they attacked. Bournemouth controlled possession but Gomes was largely untested.

Kermorgant rattled the crossbar with a half volley and that was as close as Bournemouth came until the 34th minute.

A spell of pressure from the Cherries saw a cross blocked and the ball rolled towards Wilson. Cathcart was quick to challenge but his tackle was clumsy and a penalty was awarded. Watford could have no complaints with that call.

Kermorgant stepped up from 12 yards and confidently dispatched his spot-kick to give the hosts a half time lead.

Bournemouth: Boruc, Francis, Elphick Cook, Daniels, Ritchie, Arter, Surman, Pugh, Kermorgant, Wilson.

Bournemouth substitutes: Camp, Smith, Ward, O’Kane, Stanislas, Fraser, Pitman.

Watford: Gomes; Cathcart, Angella, Hoban; Layun, Munari, Watson, Tozser, Anya; Deeney, Ighalo.

Watford substitutes: Bond, Doyley, Savic, Pudil, Byers, Vydra, Mensah.