Late Penalty Seals Victory

Matej Vydra converted a 90th minute penalty to secure Watford`s first home win since August against bottom side Peterborough Utd. The Hornets struggled to find the finishing touch to most of their good play a missed a host of good chances in the second period.

Gianfranco Zola made two changes to the side that faced Middlesbrough before the international break. Lloyd Doyley replaced the injured Neuton is defence. Fernando Forestieri returned after suspension to partner Troy Deeney in attack in place of Matej Vydra, whose own suspension was rescinded to allow him to take a place on the bench.

The first half was quite a drab affair with Watford unable to lift the tempo enough to break down the Peterborough defence.

Almen Abdi fired well over from range as did Marco Cassetti as Watford struggled to create clear openings. Fernando Forestieri looked bright making the most out of tight situations but struggling to find an end product.

Watford had a good shout for a penalty midway through the first half when Fitz Hall was pulled to the ground by a Peterborough defender right in front of the referee.

Peterborough offered little in attack themselves with Emile Sinclair heading well over from a cross and flurry of corners not troubling the Hornets backline.

Half Time 0-0

Second Half

Watford started the second half much brighter and created a number of opportunities which they failed to take.

First, Forestieri went on a great run down the left and cut inside before firing wide from a good position. Moments later Nathaniel Chalobah shot from a similar position and forced an outstanding save from Robert Olejnik in the Peterborough goal.

Forestieri was wasteful again just moments later when good work down the left resulted in him getting space in the box but he fired wastefully wide. Moments later the Hornets came even closer when Chalobah cut inside from the left and hit a shot which came straight back off the base of the post.

Watford continued to press and Forestieri missed another glaring chance when he was played clean through on goal but his soft effort lifted over the goalkeeper but did not have the pace to cross the line as defenders got back.

Peterborough fashioned their first serious chance with ten minutes to go when George Boyd got on the end of a cross and forced Almunia into a good save.

Watford eventually won the game just as the match entered stoppage time. A break forward saw Pudil find space just inside the area and when he was chopped down by Kane Ferdinand the referee pointed to the spot. With both successful penalty takers Abdi and Deeney taken off, it fell to substitute Matej Vydra to smash the ball straight down the middle and win the game.

There was still time for some last ditch defending in the four minutes added on as Mark Little found acres of space in the box following a corner but his goal bound effort was brilliant blocked by a flying Fitz Hall.

Full Time: 1-0

Watford: Almunia, Doyley, Hall, Hoban, Cassetti, Pudil, Hogg, Abdi (Vydra), Chalobah, Forestieri (Yeates), Deeney (Geijo)

Subs Not Used: Bond (GK), Thompson, Murray, Anya

Peterborough: Olejnik, Little, Alcock (McCann), Knight-Percival, Brisley, Bostwick, Ferdinand, Rowe (Ntlhe), Boyd, Sinclair (Berahino), Barnett

Att: 15,950

Referee: Mr G Eltringham