Five-star strike duo provide the sting
GERARD Deulofeu’s dazzling hat-trick put a dent in Cardiff ’s survival hopes last night.
The former Barcelona starlet stole the show with a brilliant threegoal salvo to finally show his full potential.
Deulofeu also set up strike partner Troy Deeney and, after Sol Bamba grabbed a late consolation, Deeney completed a late brace to delight Watford fans.
The Hornets controlled the early exchanges without really threatening until the 18th minute when poor defending from the home side opened the door for Deulofeu, who found the bottom corner with pin-point accuracy after being picked out by Deeney.
Cardiff and Josh Murphy could have had a penalty before halftime but referee Simon Hooper waved away their protests, much to Neil Warnock’s chagrin.
And that was as close as the Welsh club came as Deulofeu – who had not scored for eight matches – ran riot in the second half.
First Abdoulaye Doucoure headed a clearance into the path of the Spaniard, who knocked the ball past a flailing Bruno Manga on the halfway line and eventually took it around Neil Etheridge in goal to slot home his fifth of the season.
Deulofeu completed his hat-trick on 60 minutes, being put clear by Etienne Capoue before lifting a delicate lob over Etheridge to seal his first three-goal haul in English football.
The striker then left a final sting on Cardiff when he danced past the defence and gave Deeney an easy tap-in. There was still time for Bamba to bundle home with 10 minutes left, before Deeney wrapped up the rout.
CARDIFF CITY (3-4-3): Etheridge 6; Manga 5, Morrison 4, Bamba 5; Bacuna 6, Arter 5, Ralls 5 (Mendez Laing 67, 5), Bennett 5; Paterson 6, Niasse 6 (Zohore 71, 5), Murphy 6 (Hoilett 56, 5). Booked: Paterson. Goal: Bamba 82.
WATFORD (4-2-2-2): Foster 7; Janmaat 5, Mariappa 6, Cathcart 6, Masina 6; Doucoure 8, Capoue 8 (Cleverley 79), Hughes 7, Pereyra 7 (Quina 71, 6); Deulofeu 10 (Gray 86), Deeney 8. Booked: Capoue, Pereyra. Goals: Deulofeu 18, 61, 63, Deeney 73, 90.
Referee: Simon Hooper (Wilts)