Hornets show they can sting
Gracia’s Watford stun Spurs to make it four out of four
These are strange times indeed at Vicarage Road, where Javi Gracia’s Watford have spent the opening month of the season laying waste to the club’s history books. Never before have Watford won their first four matches of a top-flight campaign, and not for 31 years had they achieved victory in the league over Tottenham, which they did 2-1 yesterday.
For a club which seems forever in transition, lurching from one manager to the next like a rickety train, these have been four weeks of remarkable solidity. There is a clarity of purpose to Watford and this was the result, with respect to the vanquished Brighton, Burnley and Crystal Palace, that fully demonstrated their improvement.
To beat Spurs is a major statement in most circumstances, but to do so after falling behind — to a comical own goal — shows grit to match the unshackled quality. This is a Spurs side who had also won their first three games, including that 3-0 dismantling of Manchester United at Old Trafford. At the final whistle, the cameras picked out Sir Elton John, the club’s former chairman, with his fists clenched, roaring to the skies.
Second-half goals from Troy Deeney, the tireless Hornets captain, and centre back Craig Cathcart showed what can happen when Gracia’s side go for the jugular, when the intensity is raised and the physical battles won. Spurs, who dominated but failed to create many chances, were rumbled in 10 minutes of controlled chaos.
“We showed resilience,” Deeney said. “We can make this place a fortress. We cause people problems.
“We are big lumps, people don’t like it, then we limited their chances. Some people said we have only beaten lesser teams — this gives us more respect.”
How Spurs will wish they could have been as clinical as Watford from set pieces. Their 10 corners came to nothing, and the sight of Harry Kane heading a tame effort over the bar, with seconds remaining, neatly encapsulated their struggles in attack.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side lacked an edge, and this was an unwelcome return to reality after nine points had washed away concerns about the club’s lack of signings.
Next up for Watford, after the international break, are Manchester United and a group of players with their own vulnerabilities. The likes of Deeney, unapologetically destructive on days like these, will target United’s pressure points with snarl and venom.
“He is the captain, the spirit,” said Gracia. “He has not changed, he wants to win.”
And with Jose Holebas sending in free kicks and corners with such devilish whip, Watford will create chances against any opponents. Holebas created both goals, within the space of seven minutes, after Abdoulaye Doucoure had inadvertently given Spurs a second-half lead.
After a stodgy first half, it felt fitting Spurs took the lead in the most ungainly fashion. Dele Alli’s lofted pass was cleared to Lucas Moura, whose stabbed cross cannoned off Doucoure’s waist before spinning inside Ben Foster’s near post.
The opener was good for the game as a spectacle, though, as Watford flicked the switch in pursuit of an equaliser. A couple of set pieces caused panic and Andre Gray went close from range.
Then the onslaught truly began. Toby Alderweireld turned a Deeney cross on to his own post, before Deeney muscled forward and glanced in a Holebas free kick. Seven minutes later, Cathcart repeated the trick by rocketing a header into the top corner. Spurs responded but Watford sunk deep. The best chance fell to Kane, but his header floated harmlessly into a group of jubilant fans who could barely believe what they are seeing.
● Arsenal secured a first away victory under Unai Emery with an entertaining 3-2 win at Cardiff.
While there are defensive concerns for Arsenal, the play of strikers Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette suggests Emery has a combination that will cause problems for any defence.
Lacazette bagged the winner with an unstoppable shot nine minutes from the end. Cardiff are still chasing their first win of the season.
Manchester United beat Burnley 2-0 with a brace from Romelu Lukaku in the first half. Marcus Rashford was sent off for violent conduct and Paul Pogba missed a penalty.