HEADACHE FOR POCH..
In front of Elton, Spurs boss feels pain of scars that won’t heal
FOSTER
Not convincing, spilled the ball a couple of times and was exposed JANMAAT
Good quality on the ball, solid down right side. Played well CATHCART
No-nonsense, no frills defending and got the winner. Memorable KABASELE
Was having a terrific game… up until Spurs’ opener. Sloppy heade. HOLEBAS
The assist king, lovely free kick for equaliser and excellent delivery HUGHES
Did not get much of a look-in. Quiet and subdued.
CAPOUE Booked
Gave the ball away quite a lot but put in a hard working shift DOUCOURE
Scored an unlucky own goal, but it did not ruin all his other good work PEREYRA
Did not get much change out of Trippier, his chances were limited DEENEY
Love his passion and determination. Watford’s superhero and talisman
GRAY
Looks sharper and livelier and his partnership with Deeney could work long term
SUBS:
Success (Gray 69)
Chalobah (Hughes 86)
Mariappa (Pereyra 89) MOTM Uncertain, suspect handling. Years of barely playing taken its toll TRIPPIER
Played well. His set-piece deliveries such a threat. ALDERWEIRELD
Lucky not to score an own goal after his header hit the post SANCHEZ
Power and pace but met his match with a ding-dong with Deeney VERTONGHEN
Questions to be asked about the marking at Watford’s equaliser DAVIES
Got the nod over Rose did good defensive job on Hughes DEMBELE Booked
His foul which led to equaliser, he lost Cathcart on Watford’s second ERIKSEN
Nice moments but did not get on the ball enough to run the game ALLI
Dangerous going forward, but could not find way through MOURA
Forced the opener and was Spurs’ more dangerous forward. Lively KANE
Looked leggy. He could do with a little post- World Cup rest.
SUBS:
Llorente (Alderweireld 81) Winks (Dembele 86)
Rose (Davies 88) Doucoure og 53 THE Elton John Stand was rocking at the final whistle.
And there, fittingly, was the great man himself as Watford’s most famous fan (inset) clapped and cheered at the end of an incredible day at Vicarage Road.
It was, it has to be said, very ‘Spursy’ the way Mauricio Pochettino’s men threw away the lead and allowed themselves to be bullied by Watford and their talisman Troy Deeney.
Last season Deeney accused Arsenal of lacking cojones but this time it was Tottenham who crumbled as they lost to Watford in the league for the first time in 31 years.
The Hornets were terrific and fully deserved the three points – the first time they have won their first four Premier League games.
They had more fight and desire than Tottenham – no wonder Pochettino looked so angry after the final whistle.
Star striker Harry
Kane, who played as though he had lead in his boots, missed a sitter with five minutes left, heading over from close range.
After a flying start with three straight wins, Tottenham needed something different to freshen it up from the bench but boss Pochettino had nothing in reserve.
The Argentinian was fuming afterwards, struggling to contain his anger with his players for ignoring his pre-match warnings on the back of victory at Manchester United that they must stay focused.
Well, they lost their way at Vicarage Road and took their eye off the ball in a bizarre game which was, as Pochettino complained, like a preseason friendly in the first half and a rip-roarer after the restart.
You assumed after Tottenham went ahead in the 53rd minute that Pochettino’s men would go on to win the game.
A chip from Dele Alli into the box created uncertainty, Watford defender Christian Kabasele made it worse with a weak header, and Lucas Moura’s cross deflected in off Abdoulaye Doucoure for an own goal.
But Watford, who finished 14th last term, look a different team now under Javi Gracia. They are tougher, more determined, and no longer appear to have a soft centre.
As the Hornets turned up the heat, Deeney was right up for the fight and it looked like Tottenham’s defence were intimidated by the home side’s physical power and strength.
Deeney scared Tottenham, outmuscling Davinson Sanchez on the right and putting over a cross which Toby Alderweireld headed against his own post. Then Watford drew level after 69 minutes.
Mousa Dembele was booked for a foul on Will Hughes and Watford’s dead-ball specialist Jose Holebas whipped in a brilliant free-kick. Deeney muscled himself some space, lost Jan Vertonghen, and then glanced home into the bottom corner.
Vicarage Road came alive after his goal and Watford were not finished there. Tottenham looked nervous in defence and the Hornets, smelling blood, went ahead after 76 minutes.
Holebas put over another terrific set-piece and Craig Cathcart lost Dembele in the box to head home his first goal since January 2016.
Watford, who now sit jointtop of the Premier League with Liverpool and Chelsea, proved they have got plenty of heart but Tottenham look as if they do not have enough strength in depth to last the distance in a title race.