Watford boost survival hopes with win over Southampton

Cucho Hernandez’s first half brace had the Hornets firmly in the driving seat before Mohamed Elyounoussi cut the lead to one just before the break to set up a nervy second 45.

However the home side’s efforts after the restart were mostly half-hearted and easily dealt with by the visitors, who held on for a vital victory that draws them level on points with 17th place Everton, who are ahead of them now only on goal difference.

Manager Roy Hodgson elected to make three changes to the team that collapsed away at Molineux on Thursday night, with Craig Cathcart, Tom Cleverley and Joshua King replaced in the starting XI by Christian Kabasele, Juraj Kucka and Joao Pedro, who was able to return after missing the game at Wolves due to Covid-19 protocol, despite testing negative on the day of the match.

Kiko Femenia was able to play after recovering from the injury that forced him out of the midweek match early on, but there was still no room in the squad for Ismaila Sarr, whose hamstring problem continues to keep him on the sidelines.

But it was Hernandez who grabbed the headlines, recovering from his own goal in that heavy defeat in the Midlands, to score two goals that could prove to be massive for Watford's hopes of avoiding the drop this season.

It has been a torrid campaign for the Hornets and with only one win from their last 17 games, the away fans were intent on enjoying their afternoon on the south coast with “ole” chants followed by more gallows humour early on.

Joao Pedro almost gave the visiting faithful a goal to celebrate when Mohammed Salisu’s clearance went straight to the Brazilian but Jan Bednarek bailed out his centre-back partner with a fine block.

Salisu and Saints did not learn their lesson, with the opener arriving in the 14th minute after another error.

First Fraser Forster’s ball out from the back was nearly intercepted and when Salisu tried to play back to him seconds later, his pass was underhit and Hernandez rounded Southampton’s goalkeeper and rifled impressively into the empty net.

Hasenhuttl’s men eventually regrouped and Kyle Walker-Peters saw a cross cleared behind before Salisu wasted the chance to atone for his mistake when he headed over from six yards after a James Ward-Prowse corner.

It was a false dawn, however, with the Hornets able to increase their advantage in the 34th minute.

A neat move down the left saw Juraj Kucka teed up by Emmanuel Dennis and he produced a wonderful whipped cross to the back post, where Hernandez volleyed home to double his and Watford’s tally.

Walker-Peters went close again before the break and Kucka could have put the game to bed but Forster denied the midfielder after he was sent through by Moussa Sissoko.

It felt pivotal when Elyounoussi reduced the deficit minutes later on the stroke of half-time by directing a Ward-Prowse free-kick beyond Ben Foster.

Saints’ leading marksman Armando Broja was introduced during the interval but the Chelsea loanee was well-marshalled by Kabasele, with the home side’s best threat coming through set-pieces.

Salisu headed another Ward-Prowse free-kick wide just past the hour mark and Hasenhuttl went to three at the back in an attempt to force a leveller.

Kucka had another opportunity to seal the points with 19 minutes left but his curled strike was saved by Forster and Hernandez squandered a hat-trick chance when he curled over following a counter-attack.

Free-kicks continued to be Southampton’s biggest threat and St Mary’s held its breath when Ward-Prowse lined one up late on.

The Saints captain curled the set-piece onto the roof of the net, though, and Foster saved Che Adams’ header before VAR rejected calls for Kabasele’s handball to be penalised with Watford securing a vital win.

TEAM: Foster; Femenia (Catchart), Kabasele, Samir, Kamara; Louza, Kucka, Sissoko; Pedro, Hernandez (Sema), Dennis (King)

Unused substitutes: Bachmann, Troost-Ekong, Cleverley, Masina, Kalu, Kayembe