Club News

Albion 3 Watford 1

Baggies climb up to sixth in Premier League

  • Evans (16) heads first goal of season
  • Brunt (34) free-kick first goal since May 2015
  • Kabasele (60) from close range from Hornets
  • Phillips makes it three in stoppage time (90+1)
  • Attendance: 22,244
  • Albion Star Man: Allan Nyom
ALBION moved up to sixth in the Premier League as they extended their unbeaten run to four matches with a 2-0 victory over Watford. 

Jonny Evans climbed highest to head home his second goal for the Baggies - the club's seventh from a corner this season - before Chris Brunt's long-range free-kick found the net via a slight deflection from Camilio Zuniga.

Christian Kabasele poked home to give the Hornets hope, moments after Ben Foster had produced a stunning save to keep out Gareth McAuley's looping backwards header.

Matt Phillips ensured it was 10 points from a possible 12 late on, with just two defeats in the previous 10 matches, and an impressive 20 points for the campaign in early December.

The Hornets started brightly and Foster was called upon early to make a fine save from Nordin Amrabat's long-range drive.

Yet it was Albion who made the first breakthrough as Evans rose high to head home Brunt's precise corner from inside the six-yard box - his first goal since a memorable injury-time winner against Stoke on January 2.

Brunt then turned from provider to goalscorer in the 34th minute as he drilled a well orchestrated free-kick past Heurelho Gomes. 

James Morrison, voted November Player of the Month by Baggies fans, Craig Dawson and Salomon Rondon all sent openings off target at the start of the second period.

Brunt then saw a certain third goal denied by a superb block by Jose Holebas before Kabasele poked home on the hour mark to give Watford a route back into the game, that coming just moments after Foster had made a remarkable save to flick McAuley's header over the bar.

Matt Phillips was inches away from restoring Albion's two-goal advantage while Foster was at it again at the other end to keep out Roberto Pereyra and preserve all three points.

Pereyra was sent off with six minutes remaining following an altercation with James McClean, which also saw Troy Deeney cautioned.

Phillips secured all three points for the Baggies in stoppage time with a fierce left-foot strike from 20 yards.

Albion: Foster; Dawson, McAuley, Evans, Nyom; Yacob, Fletcher (c); Brunt (McClean 80), Morrison (Chadli 75), Phillips; Rondon (Robson-Kanu 88).

Subs: Palmer; Olsson, Gardner, Galloway.

BOOKED: McAuley (foul, 15), McClean (unsporting behaviour, 84)

Watford: Gomes; Zuniga (Ighalo 77), Prödl, Kabasele, Holebas; Guedioura; Amrabat, Capoue, Pereyra; Deeney (c), Okaka (Sinclair 90+4).

Subs: Pantilimon, Eleftheriou, Watson, Doucoure, Success.

BOOKED: Deeney (unsporting behaviour, 84)

SENT OFF: Pereyra (violent conduct, 84)

Referee: Graham Scott (Oxfordshire)