Deeney faces FA thumbs-down

JOE ALLEN played down his dust-up with Troy Deeney but that is unlikely to save the Watford striker from FA action.

Both players were booked by referee Michael Oliver after sparking the late melee in a fiery match.

But video footage of Deeney grabbing Stoke midfielder Allen by the neck and digging thumbs into his face will surely land him in hot water despite Allen later brushing it off.

“It was handbags really and nothing to it,” said

WATFORD STOKE CITY

Allen. “I like Troy, he is a good guy and a good player. These things happen. He is a big guy and we were both laughing. I knew I was beaten in that situation – I have a bit of a bad habit of picking the wrong fights.”

In a poor game it was Darren Fletcher’s fine 16thminute volley that earned Stoke a much-needed win to ease the pressure manager Mark Hughes.

With eight bookings in all, the FA may fine both clubs for failing to control their players, while Deeney faces a potential threegame suspension.

Allen was just relieved to see the Potters return to winning ways and said: “We knew we could get a result here. It was far from our prettiest performance but it was about the points.”

Following back-to-back defeats, Watford defender Kiko Femenia said: “In the on first half, we threw it away. But we have to look at the positives and we tried to find a way back.”

WATFORD (4-3-3): Booked: