Watford 2-0 West Bromwich Albion (original) (raw)
Image source, Rex Features
Image caption,
M'Baye Niang has scored twice for Watford since joining on loan from AC Milan
A resurgent Watford survived for half an hour with 10 men as they beat West Brom to earn back-to-back Premier League victories.
The Hornets were already 2-0 up when they had Miguel Britos sent off for a second yellow card.
M'Baye Niang opened the scoring in the 13th minute when he weaved his way to the edge of the area before curling the ball into the top corner.
Troy Deeney, on his return to the starting line-up after a short illness, poked home from close range to double the lead early in the second half.
West Brom's best chances came before the sending off, Nacer Chadli volleying wide and also seeing a 30-yard free-kick bounce off the woodwork.
Substitute Salomon Rondon did cause problems for the depleted Watford defence but the hosts held on.
The Baggies remain in eighth place - a position they have held since December - while the Hornets are one place behind and now 10 points clear of the relegation zone.
Are the Hornets home and dry?
Watford had been creeping into danger after a four-match winless run in the league.
Their fears were eased after Saturday's narrow victory over struggling Sunderland, and now only a major capitulation would see them sucked back into the relegation battle with eight games remaining.
Niang's special opener, which was set up by Deeney, got Watford off to the best possible start and they remained in control of the first half.
Deeney extended their lead when he latched on to a looping ball and scuffed home, while managing to avoid an on-rushing Ben Foster and Jonny Evans.
It looked like it was going to be a routine victory before Britos' red card, and although the defence had to scramble at times, West Brom failed to capitalise on the extra man.
Image caption,
Watford dominated the first-half possession stats with 71%, and made 304 passes compared to West Brom's 119
The Baggies stay still
The Baggies have been safely tucked away in mid-table for most of the campaign and had taken points from both Arsenal and Manchester United in recent weeks.
But Tony Pulis' side have now only won one away match from their last 10 and have failed to score in four of their last five games.
They offered very little in the first half at Vicarage Road and Pulis made all three substitutions before the 60-minute mark in a bid to rescue the game.
Once Watford were down to 10 men, the visitors were in the ascendency but Rondon could only head over the bar, while James Morrison fired well over in injury time.
Britos sees red... and so does his manager
Media caption,
Watford make Mazzarri 'very, very happy'
Britos was Watford's goalscoring hero against Sunderland but he could have been the villain three days later had his red card cost his side the game.
The Uruguayan defender's first yellow came after he tangled with Hal Robson-Kanu, and his second was given for bringing down a goal-bound Rondon.
Watford manager Walter Mazzarri was incensed by the decision and was seen kicking the dug-out in frustration before sharing a heated exchange with his own coaching staff.
Mazzarri may now struggle for defensive options for the match with Tottenham, with Britos banned and Younes Kaboul injured. Sebastian Prodl was also taken off with a rib problem in the first half.
Man of the match - M'Baye Niang
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
M'Baye Niang's goal alone made him a worthy man of the match, but he also had three shots and two key passes for Watford
Another record for Deeney
- Troy Deeney is the first Watford player to score in four consecutive home Premier League games. He has had a hand in seven goals in his last eight league appearances, scoring six and assisting one.
- Watford have kept consecutive Premier League clean sheets for the first time since October 2016 (three in a row).
- West Brom are without a win in their last six Premier League away games (D3 L3).
- Miguel Britos is just the third player to pick up two red cards in the PL this season, alongside Fernandinho and Granit Xhaka.
Manager reaction
**Watford manager Walter Mazzarri: "**I'm very happy for my team. The players played very well. It was a great game.
"I said before the game they were a good side and had two good results against Man United and Arsenal.
"It was a beautiful goal by Niang. Also the assist was good from Deeney."
West Brom manager Tony Pulis: "We gave two poor goals away. We still had chances and possessions. Chadli could come out another day with a hat-trick, so we are disappointed.
"The lads kept working but it wasn't our night. We needed a break and they had it."
Media caption,
It wasn't West Brom's night - Pulis
What next?
West Brom host Southampton on Saturday, while Watford travel to Tottenham on the same day in the early kick-off (12:30 BST).
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