Poor Performance Adds To Disappointing Defeat

Watford produced one of their worst performances of the season in front of their home crowd as they went down to Crystal Palace two-nil at Vicarage Road.

Watford, who recalled Scott Loach in goal and started with newly-signed loan winger Michael Kightly, were on the back foot early on with Palace keeping the ball nicely but failing to create any clear cut opportunities.

Watford come closest after that with some good work between Kightly and Joe Garner with Garner turning a defender and unleashing a shot from the edge of the box that bounced back off the post.

The first half petered out into a rather scrappy affair with neither side creating any real chances, the closest Palace came was a weak shot from Jonathan Parr after a good run from Wilfred Zaha.

Half Time

The second half started much life the first half ended with neither side really grabbing the initiative. John Eustace wasted a decent chance for Watford when he headed straight at Julien Speroni from the penalty spot after a good cross from Carl Dickinson.

Watford suffered a blow on the hour when Martin Taylor crumpled to the floor after challenging for a ball in the Palace area and had to be replaced by David Mirfin.

Just five minutes later Palace took the lead through Zaha. After Watford lost possession midway inside the Palace half the visitors broke clear and Sean Scannell released Wilfred Zaha and he unleashed a cracking shot from the corner angle of the penalty area into the far corner past Scott Loach.

Watford tried to respond by bringing on Mark Yeates and Chris Iwelumo but failed to conjure up the final pass required to break down the dogged Palace rearguard.

One minute into the three added on Palace wrapped up the points with another fine goal. Having left players forward Watford were left short at the back when Jermaine Easter picked the ball up midway in the Hornets half. He carried the ball to the edge of the box before producing another fine finish into the top corner.

Full Time
Watford 0-2 Crystal Palace

Watford: Loach, Doyley, Mariappa, Taylor (Mirfin), Dickinson, Kightly, Hogg, Eustace, Forsyth (Yeates), Sordell (Iwelumo), Garner

Crystal Palace: Speroni, Ramage, McCarthy, Wright, Clyne, Parr (Gardner), Tunchev, Scannell (Easter), Dikgacoi (Jedinak), Zaha, Murray