Just a second win in 17 Premier League games is the reward for Watford’s gritty display today against Southampton, as they consign their hosts to a third straight defeat and haul themselves closer to safety in the process.
Though forced to sit deep for several spells, the Hornets were more threatening in the final third than Southampton, who heavily relied on Ward-Prowse’s set-piece mastery to conjure up their few chances.
Hasenhuttl will be concerned following his team’s third home loss of the season – and a second in succession.
However, Hodgson can cherish only his fourth Premier League win over Saints in 12 attempts.
Starting Lineup:
SOUTHAMPTON (4-4-2): Fraser Forster;
Kyle Walker-Peters, Jan Bednarek, Mohammed Salisu, Romain Perraud;
Will Smallbone, Oriol Romeu, James Ward-Prowse, Mohamed Elyounoussi; Stuart Armstrong, Che Adams.
SUBS: Willy Caballero, Shane Long, Nathan Redmond, Armando Broja, Theo Walcott,
Jack Stephens, Yan Valery, Ibrahima Diallo, Adam Armstrong.
WATFORD (4-3-3): Ben Foster;
Kiko Femenia, Samir, Christian Kabasele, Hassane Kamara;
Imran Louza, Juraj Kucka, Moussa Sissoko;
Juan Hernandez, Emmanuel Dennis, Joao Pedro.
SUBS: Daniel Bachmann, Edo Kayembe, Tom Cleverley, William Troost-Ekong,
Samuel Kalu, Ken Sema, Craig Cathcart, Adam Masina, Josh King.
Goals:
WATFORD LEAD! Another Salisu slip-up gift the ball to Hernandez, unmarked on the left side of the area, and the Watford forward stays cool to guide his low finish from a tight angle past the stranded Forster. Against the odds, it is now Southampton 0-1 Watford.
HERNANDEZ AT THE DOUBLE! Against the run of play, Watford extends their advantage as Hernandez volleys home at the back post from a clipped Kucka cross. But, again, he stays calm to meet the ball and finds the back of the net from just outside the six-yard box. Southampton 0-2 Watford.
SAINTS PULL ONE BACK! From another Ward-Prowse free-kick from the right, Adams flicks the ball with his head, and Elyounoussi then steers home his fourth Premier League goal of the season from close range. He stole in at the back post unmarked and heading towards the half-time break, and it is now only 2-1 to Watford.
So, what’s next for Southampton and Watford FC?
It may be difficult for Watford to capitalise on the momentum from this victory, as they do not have another game for three weeks,
Meanwhile, Southampton has an FA Cup quarter-final to look forward to – or perhaps fear – against Manchester City next weekend.
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