Watford 2-1 Crystal Palace
It’s three wins from three for Javi Gracia’s Watford after his side saw off a dangerous Crystal Palace in a feisty clash at Vicarage Road.
Roberto Pereyra put the Hornets ahead early in the second half and Jose Holebas made it two before Wilfried Zaha scored to set up a tense last 15 minutes.
It’s one of the newest grudge matches in the Premier League and there has been plenty of bad feeling in this fixture after the two teams had an ill-tempered clash in the 2015 Play-Off final. And the rivalry between north and south London has steadily increased. Watford mascot Harry the Hornet was in trouble last season after mimicking a Wilfried Zaha dive and Roy Hodgson warned the big cuddly bee to behave.
The Premier League 2018 odds have Watford as one of the teams likely to be in a relegation scrap, but Javi Gracia’s team sits proudly in the top three.
Highlights of the Game
Since his arrival at Selhurst Park Roy Hodgson’s team has been well organised defensively but they were dealt a blow in the warm-up when centre-back James Tomkins pulled up with a calf strain and Martin Kelly was hurriedly drafted in. That meant two changes to the back line as Joel Ward started as a replacement for suspended right back Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
That may have encouraged the Hornets and they started on the front foot. Roberto Pereyra was on target twice in the opening day win over Brighton and he was the first to make a dangerous foray into the Palace half but his ball, whipped into the box, evaded everyone.
Tempers began to flare quicker than expected when Etienne Capoue saw yellow on four minutes for a nasty foul on Zaha, he was lucky to stay on the pitch; and the Palace striker joined him in the ref’s book just three minutes later when he slid into Jose Holebas studs up.
Palace began to concentrate on football and quickly got into their stride and Watford keeper Ben Foster had to make a brilliant save from Christian Benteke’s header after Andros Townsend had found the Belgian striker with an inch-perfect cross. And he followed that up minutes later with a point-blank save from James McArthur.
Then Peyeyra came close with a volley which was deflected over as the game flowed from end to end. And before the break, there was another booking. Harry the Hornet was behaving well but his nemesis Zaha was involved again, in a push and shoving contest which resulted in Watford’s Daryl Janmaat going into the ref’s book.
The roof came off Vicarage Road early in the second half when that man Pereyra put the Hornets ahead with a magnificent goal. Capoue beat three Palace players and then found Pereyra on the edge of the box; the Argentine set himself and curled a beauty into the far corner. What a goal!
That was three in three for Pereyra and the home fans started to dream of three wins in three.
The Eagles’ came out fighting and the out-of-form Benteke came oh so close when he shot just wide and then, in an instant, it was 2-0. This time there was an element of luck in it for the Hornets as Holebas’ cross went over everyone and straight into the net for the Greek’s first home goal.
But Palace fought back again and it was game on in the 78th minute as Zaha got his own back on Harry the Hornet, sliding the ball home and through Foster’s legs from a tight angle. 2-1!
In a frantic finish Palace’s Max Meyer found his way into the book and so did goal hero Peyeyra, but the Hornets hung on for another priceless win.
Key Statistics
Palace have looked a good side so far this season, winning their opener and then giving Liverpool a great game but they seemed to lose their cool and discipline in this encounter, having made two enforced changes at the back.
But it’s all smiles for Watford who have won the first three games in a campaign for only the fourth time in their history, and never before in the top flight.
The pre-match SBOBET odds had the hosts at 2.49 to win and, in the end, they were just about value for the three points.
Man-of-the-match Pereyra has been directly involved in seven of Watford’s last ten goals, scoring six and assisting one.
It was the first time Watford has beaten the Eagles in eight attempts at Vicarage Road, and it’s only Palace’s third defeat in 11 Premier League games.
What’s next?
The Hornets have two more home games to come, but they are tough ones. They entertain Spurs next week and then Manchester United after the international break.
Meanwhile, the Eagles have two eminently winnable games, at home to Southampton and then away to Huddersfield.
It’s looking reasonably bright for both these teams; you can keep on getting the latest Premier League 2018 updates right here at SBOBET.
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