Watford 2-1 Burnley

Watford 2-1 Burnley

Home team scorers
Troy Deeney 10
M'Baye Niang 45 +1:17

Away team scorers
Ashley Barnes 78 Pen

Watford secured consecutive Premier League wins for the first time since September as 10-man Burnley saw their dismal away form continue.

First-half headers from Troy Deeney and January signing M’Baye Niang were enough to seal a home win and build on their stunning win at Arsenal in midweek.

Burnley played the majority of the game a man short after the midfielder Jeff Hendrick was sent off after six minutes for a reckless two-footed challenge on José Holebas. Ashley Barnes’ penalty gave them hope but they have now taken one point from a possible 33 on the road.

Burnley’s afternoon went from bad to worse four minutes later. Niang cut in from the right flank and floated a beautiful cross on to the head of Deeney, who out-muscled the defender Matt Lowton at the far post.

Niang, who has been impressive since his arrival from Milan last week, threatened again but Tom Heaton pulled off a brilliant save to keep out the Frenchman’s 20-yard curling effort.

Burnley were presented with a rare chance to equalise after Valon Behrami brought down George Boyd on the edge of the area but Heurelho Gomes tipped Boyd’s free-kick over the bar.

At that point, the visitors looked to have survived Watford’s onslaught but their slim chances of claiming a draw suffered a blow on the stroke of half-time. Niang leapt highest to get the deftest touch on Holebas’ cross and double the lead.

Sean Dyche sent on deadline-day signing Robbie Brady in the 55th minute but the tempo dropped in the second half, with Watford happy to keep possession and maintain their lead.

Barnes had a claim for penalty denied after 67 minutes as Sebastian Prödl looked to have put his arm into the striker’s path. Heaton was on hand to pull off another great save at the other end to deny Deeney, whose outstretched boot connected with Niang’s cross.

Home fans paid tribute to former manager Graham Taylor in the 72nd minute but the visitors pulled one back moments later.

Following a scramble in the box, the referee Michael Oliver pointed to the spot after Joey Barton’s effort struck the arm of Prödl and Barnes stepped up to halve the deficit.

Burnley should have equalised in stoppage time when Craig Cathcart’s slip allowed Barnes a sight of goal in the box but Gomes got down well to block the shot. Deeney then had late goal disallowed for handball as Watford held on.

Guardian