Watford picked up their first home win of the season on Sunday, as they eased past a lethargic Manchester United at Vicarage Road. The Hornets welcomed two new faces to Hertfordshire prior to kick-off; with the new presences of Nigel Pearson and Jao Pedro encouraging Watford fans and handing belief to them that they may survive the drop after a poor start to the season.
The first half was a cagey affair and both teams looked nervous to concede, which was evident in both team selections as well, with both midfields filled with a defensive mindset. It was Will Hughes who caught the eye in the first half with a performance which allowed the Englishman to finally portray his potential – which has previously linked him with clubs like Liverpool when he was playing for Derby County. If Hughes carries on like this, there is also the potential for him to break his way into Gareth Southgate plans in the summer for Euro 2020 as England bid to become European champions.
United’s best chance in the first half came when Jesse Lingard went through on goal with Ben Foster, and with the odds on the attacking midfielder to score past his fellow countryman, he lobbed it over the bar, much to the dismay of the United fans on the other side of the ground.
The miss summed up the first half, indecisive and ultimately shocking, and when the half-time whistle went, fans were delighted to get some warmth in the concourses.
The second half from the very start was the polar opposite of the first. Strangely, it was one of the more unlikely passages of play that lead to the opening goal of the afternoon. The late fall of David De Gea was pretty much conveyed in this opening goal, with Sarr’s effort somehow slipping through the goalkeepers’ hands at his near post.
It was a game-changer and from that point, there was only going to be one winner. All the momentum was going towards the Rookery stand, and when a ball over the top made Wan-Bissaka go to ground, Troy Deeney was presented with the chance to double Watford’s lead; which he took graciously, as he slotted it past De Gea.
United never really looked like getting back into the game, despite the reintroduction of Paul Pogba; who with Harry Maguire, forced Foster into a couple of smart saves. It was a brilliant afternoon for the Hornets, who will be desperate to carry this momentum into their next few winnable games, which will allow them to escape from danger. It was a poor performance from United as the pressure is mounted back onto Solskjaer.
Hope for Watford
There has evidently been a large impact from the new manager at Watford. Mariappa, Kiko, Hughes and Sarr have all already rapidly improved under Pearson, and with a few new faces in January expected, Watford fans are growing more and more confident that they can stay up.
We know they have the quality, it has lately just been a lack of application from the players which has limited their progression this season. On paper, they should be challenging for Europe, and while that may have gone, it’s not too late to rule out a top-half finish for the Golden Boys if their good performances continue.
Questions for United
De Gea, Wan Bissaka and Maguire were all bullied by the Watford front-line. While Watford were superb, this is Manchester United they are playing against, a team that should be accustomed to sweeping these teams apart – times have changed.
Every single player in the United squad put in a questionable shift on Sunday, and with Arsenal having the chance of a “manager bounce”, United need to be winning these games to have any hope of getting into the top-four.
Based on Sunday, should the questions be on the manager? No. A lot of players need to start playing to their price tags, or it will be a long Christmas for the Reds.
The importance of home
Nigel Pearson has been speaking very highly of the Vicarage road atmosphere, and its importance of instigating Watford’s survival, and on Sunday’s account, he was absolutely right.
The 1881 movement in the Rookery got right behind the team, particularly in the second half; when you felt Watford needed a victory in order to have any hope on getting back on track. It is for certain though that Watford’s home form will be key in keeping them alive in the Premier League.
Man of the Match – Will Hughes
I said before, the midfielder was brilliant and he will be massive in Watford’s bid for survival.
Up Next
Watford travel to high-flying Sheffield United whilst Manchester United host Newcastle.
