Watford cruised to victory this evening as they completed a comfortable 3-0 home win against a poor Leeds Utd. On his first start since August Almen Abdi headed Watford in front after 9 minutes before Anya doubled the lead after half an hour. Troy Deeney added a third midway through the second half to cap another good home result of the Hornets.
Beppe Sannino made four changes from the Watford side that drew 1-1 with promotion challengers Burnley on Saturday. Albert Riera made his first start in place of Daniel Pudil while Sean Murray and Almen Abdi came into the midfield in place of Lewis McGugan and the injured Cristian Battocchio. The other change saw Davide Faraoni come in for Mathias Ranegie with Ikechi Anya reverting to his forward role.
Under pressure Leeds boss Brian McDermott made one change to the Leeds side that lost 1-0 to Wigan on Saturday. Dominic Poleon came in for the injured Sam Byram as Utd looked for the first away victory since February.
The home side started quickly as they looked to put Leeds on the back foot and a good move down the Watford left saw the ball find Davide Faraoni in space on the edge of the box but his goal bound effort was blocked.
The Hornets did take the lead however after just 9 minutes through Almen Abdi on his first start since August. Watford again broke down the left and Ikechi Anya found himself in space wide on the edge of the box and his deep cross was headed in by Abdi at the back post.
Watford then sat back and allowed Leeds lots of possession content that the visitors lacked a cutting edge. Ross McCormack had a long range effort blocked as they struggled to create any opportunities.
The hosts then doubled their lead just after the half hour as Anya got on the score sheet after 32 minutes. Yet another move down the Watford left saw a cross miss everyone in the box. Faraoni picked the ball up and crossed it back in and Anya arrived unmarked to head into the bottom corner.
Leeds looked to respond in the remainder of the first half but the closest they came was McCormack’s 35 yard effort that was comfortably saved by Manuel Almunia.
Half Time: 2-0
Second Half
Leeds started the second half more brightly as they looked to get themselves back into the game. Noel Hunt shot wide within the first minute of the half while half time substitute Cameron Stewart shot wide from inside the box after he was found in space by Poleon.
Watford added a third to make the game safe midway through the second half through Troy Deeney. A good passing move saw Abdi find Deeney in the box. Despite being surrounded by three players he wriggled free and fired the ball into the roof of the net.
The Hornets should have added a fourth just minutes later when Sean Murray started a Watford counter-attack by finding Anya. He ran up to the Leeds box before squaring for Deeney but his goal bound effort saw brilliant saved by Jack Butland.
The game threatened to boil over moments later when Noel Hunt clattered Faraoni as he attempted to kick the ball out for a Leeds player to receive treatment. Despite appearing not to see the incident the referee showed Hunt a yellow card. He was lucky to stay on just moments later but he slid on Faraoni again but escaped with a second caution.
Leeds attempted to add a consolation late on when a move down the right found Stewart in space again. He turned into the box but shot weakly at Almunia as the game petered out.
Full Time: 3-0
Watford: Almunia, Angella, Cassetti, Ekstrand, Faraoni, Murray (Merkel), Tozser, Abdi (McGugan), Riera (Pudil), Anya, Deeney
Subs Not Used: Bond (GK), Belkalem, Hoban, Ranegie
Leeds Utd: Butland, Wootton, Pearce, Lees, Warnock, Brown, Tonge, Poleon, Mowatt (Stewart), Hunt (Smith), McCormack (White)
Subs Not Used: Cairns (GK), Zaliukas, Pugh, Murphy
Att: 16,212
Ref: Mr Gavin Ward
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