Hull City 0-1 Watford

TROY Deeney’s stunner at the KC Stadium put Watford back in the hunt for automatic promotion; leavjng the Hornets just a point behind the Tigers.

Deeney struck four minutes before the break, bending past David Stockdale from outside the 18 yard box to win a hotly-contested affair.

Gianfranco Zola brought Matej Vydra in for Fernando Forestieri – the Hornets only change.

Hull started with three up front, Steve Bruce re-inteoucing Gedo alongside Jay Simpson and George Boyd

It was all Hull early on; the hosts dominating possession without creating a noteworthy chance to worry Jonathan Bond.

Watford’s first chance came when Deeney blazed over from left hand side penalty area, through in truth it was only ever a half chance.

The Tigers immediately broke and Simpson was put through with Bond quickly off his line to smother the ball.

Deployed at centre-back, Maro Cassetti was imperious throughout, driving forward to link up with Deeney & Matej Vydra, the Czech’s shot blocked.

Just before the half-hour mark, cetre-back Fitz Hall came off injured, replaced by Lloyd Doyley, making his 400th Hornets’ appearance.

In the 31st minute, Hull created their first decent chance when Abdoulaye Faye headed a corner back across to Jack Hobbs who saw his effort held with ease.

Four minutes before the break Deeney bagged the all-important goal, taking advantage of the space afforded to him to curl past David Stockdale from outside the penalty area.

In first-half stoppage time, a cross from Simpson was nodded down to Boyd who saw his half-volley brilliantly palmed away by Bond.

Half-time: 0-1

Just five minutes into the second period, Simpson raced towards goal, firing low at Bond, the Hemel-born stopper palming his low effort wide for a corner.

Shortly after, one-time Watford target Robbie Brady fizzed a powerful left-footed volley straight into Bond’s palms when unmarked.

The Hull pressure kept coming, Boyd the next to test Bond’s resilience with an effort inside 18 yard box which was pushed away by the Golden Boys’s no.30.

With 15 minutes to play Watford had a rare chance on the break, Deeney evading Faye before finding himself 1v1 with Stockdale who saved at the near-post.

Following up were Cristian Battocchio as Vydra, neither man able to convert.

By that stage it was all Hull with Watford sat deep and not pressing Bruce’s men, allowing the hosts the dictate the play.

With time running out, captain Deeney led another rare foray forward on the break. Eventually the returning Prince Buaben arrived, his centre flicked up rather than toward goal from Almen Abdi from six yards.

In the end, Hull were reduced to tossing hopeful balls into the ‘Orns’ penalty area , but with Bond imperious and the backline holding firm, Watford held on for a massive three points.

Full-time: 0-1

A huge win for the Hornets who have given themselves a real chance of hunting down the Tigers and winning automatic promotion.

At the very least, Watford have halted a winless run of three matches and secured the kind of gritty, 100 per cent, backs-to-the-wall win which can act as a springboard for the final six (nine) games.

Hull City: Stockdale; Chester, Hobbs (Prowchwitz), Bruce (Quinn); Elmohamady, Koren (c), Faye, Brady; Simpson, Gedo (Evans) & Boyd.

Subs not used: Jakupovic (GK), Rosenior, Fathi & Cairney.

Watford: Bond; Ekstrand, Hall (Doyley), Briggs (Pudil); Cassetti, Abdi, Battocchio, Chalobah, Anya; Deeney (c) & Vydra (Buaben).

Subs not used: Bonham (GK), Yeates, Geijo & Forestieri.

Referee: Mr R Madley.