Watford 1Crysal Palace 2

Watford signed off for 2005 with a defeat after being edged out by Crystal Palace in an even encounter at Vicarage Road.

The visitors took the lead on seventeen minutes following a close-range effort from Darren Ward. The Central Defender, who was a product of the Vicarage Road youth academy before being sold by the ill-fated Vialli regime, slotted home after a Jobi McAnuff free-kick was knocked down by Clinton Morrison. On thirty minutes Waford boss Adrian Boothroyd made a tactical change and replaced Matthew Spring with Ashley Young. Young made an earlier than anticipated return from injury and was deployed on the left-flank. On thirty-seven minutes the Hornets had an opportunity to level the match but Darius Henderson headed Anthony McNamee?s cross over the bar. Just before the interval Ben Foster pulled off a double save; first from Andy Johnson?s twenty-yard effort and then from Clinton Morrison?s follow-up. Palace had the better of the half and went to the interval a goal to the good.

Watford made an improved start to the action-packed second period with Marlon King going close from a Henderson flick-on but the Championship?s joint leading scorer shot wide of the post. Ben Foster was on hand again on fifty-seven minutes to keep the Hornets in the game. A Tom Soares shot was deflected off Malky Mackay and the on-loan ?keeper tipped the effort over the crossbar. Two minutes later, Watford were level and back in the match. Hornets? skipper Gavin Mahon took a quick free-kick and Darius Henderson put the ball in the back of the net following a flick-on from Marlon King. On sixty-nine minutes Crystal Palace were awarded a penalty by referee Phil Dowd after Clarke Carlisle was adjudged to have fouled Clinton Morrison. Johnson converted the penalty that effectively stole the three points. Watford?s best chance to restore parity came on seventy-five minutes when Ashley Young side-footed a McNamee cross wide when looking certain to score.

The Hornets start 2006 by travelling to archrivals Luton on Tuesday. If the match is even half as eventful as Watford?s 2005 we will be in for a New Year cracker.