Watford are back to winning ways – and Tom Cleverley remains unbeaten as Watford head coach at Vicarage Road – after edging out high-flying Sunderland 2-1.
One of those tight games that could have gone either way saw the Hornets strike first when Festy Ebosele scored on his first Championship start with a very smartly controlled finish from a cross by fellow wing-back Yasser Larouci.
The Black Cats levelled early in the second half through Wilson Isidor and asked more of the attacking questions thereafter, but the hosts clinched the points through a Tom Dele-Bashiru penalty after Dan Neil had fouled Kwadwo Baah in the 18-yard box.
Here are five talking points we’ve picked out from this afternoon’s victory. Tell us what you think by using the comments facility on this page.
A positive start to a 'pivotal' week
'Pivotal' was the word Cleverley used to describe the prospect of three games in a week with nine points on the line and his side have got off to exactly the start he would have hoped for.
A draw may have been the fairest of results on the balance of play and chances over the full 90 minutes, but the Hornets capitalised on the match-winning opportunity when it presented itself from the penalty spot.
What was your view of Watford’s performance
Making things happen
Kwadwo Baah is still establishing himself in the first-team picture at Vicarage Road but it has already become evident that he makes things happen when he's on the pitch – and he did it again today.
The versatile attacker may feel unlucky not to have made the starting XI following his performance at Manchester City on Tuesday night, but having replaced Giorgi Chakvetadze with 16 minutes of normal time it was his desire and positivity that earned the decisive penalty.
Do you think Baah should start at Preston on Wednesday?
A better start – but not to both halves
One swallow doesn’t make a summer and all that but after four consecutive league games in which they’ve been playing catch up inside five minutes, Watford safely negotiated the opening of the game without conceding.
The Hornets started the match cautiously, almost deliberately so as they sought to play keep ball as much as possible to ensure they gave themselves a foothold in the contest.
Having reached the interval with a clean sheet, Sunderland were to equalise – within five minutes of the start of the second half.
Ebosele off the mark
The right-wing back has good reason to reflect on his first Championship start fondly after capping a positive opening to his performance with a finely taken goal.
The Udinese loanee was a willing attacking outlet on the right flank as the Hornets made most of the early running, but struggled at times when he was forced onto the back foot by the tricky Romaine Rundle as the first half wore on.
What did you make of Ebosele’s display?
Unsung hero
The Hornets looked a more stable, calmer defensive unit with the experience and organisational qualities of Angelo Ogbonna in their ranks, but a word of appreciation for one of the men alongside him.
James Morris is a player who just gets on with his job with the minimum of fuss and he delivered another steady, sold display to help the Hornets withstand some periods where Sunderland had plenty of the ball in and around the 18-yard box.
What was your view of Morris’ performance?
Remember, you can tell us what you think by using the comments facility on this page.
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