HORNETS HORROR SHOW
Three stars dropped, three goals shipped, one damaging loss
NIGEL PEARSON isn’t a guy you want to cross. So, with that in mind, you would not want to be Andre Gray, nathaniel Chalobah or Domingos Quina this morning.
The official line is the Watford trio were omitted from the squad that emphatically lost to Southampton yesterday ‘to ensure the health and safety of all players, staff and officials’.
Privately, you’d imagine Pearson’s description as to why his three players were stood down would be rather less diplomatic as it emerged they attended a lockdown party that breached social-distancing guidelines.
Watford are investigating, but you’d imagine Pearson has already made up his mind — though he toed the party line when asked his opinion after the defeat.
‘Until I know all the facts, I’m not going to make any further SAMI MOKBEL at Vicarage Road comment on that situation,’ said Pearson.
As ever, when it rains, it pours. In a literal sense, the heavens opened just moments before kick-off.
Metaphorically speaking, Danny Ings’ double and James Ward-Prowse’s poetic free-kick means the Hornets are soaked in relegation danger.
‘It’s a frustrating time because we know we are capable of much better,’ added Pearson.
The ultimate takeaway from this clash is that Southampton are safe, this victory taking them to the magical 40-point mark.
Watford, on the contrary, are anything but. on 28 points, Watford could be in the drop zone by the time they play against Chelsea on Saturday.
But while the problems mount for Pearson, his opposite number ralph Hasenhuttl can head into the final weeks of the season worry-free.
After a demoralising 9-0 loss to Leicester in october, the Austrian looked to be hurtling towards the sack and Southampton out of the division.
Fast-forward eight months and Southampton will be a top-flight outfit next year, and Hasenhuttl’s fast emerging as one of the league’s brightest bosses.
Following two successive losses, Pearson is now banking on a similar turnaround.
‘We can enjoy the games now because we have the 40 points, maybe we can climb a few steps up the table,’ said Hassenhuttl.
Ahead of this clash, the Saints boss had his own selection problems. Captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg — who sustained an ankle injury during the closing stages of the loss against Arsenal — missing out as the Saints boss made five changes from the team that started versus Mikel Arteta’s men.
There was nothing sensational about Southampton’s performance, Watford — but for a few fleeting moments — were just feeble.
But for one menacing Ismaila Sarr run, their firsthalf performance had relegation written all over it.
Southampton got their deserved advantage with just 16 minutes on the clock.
Watford appeared to have the situation under control as Ings collected Will Smallbone’s pass around 30 yards out from goal.
An incisive dart into the heart of Watford’s defence and crisp low right- foot shot later, Southampton were ahead.
It was Ings’ 17th of the season — Watford have scored just 12 more between them in the league all season.
Therein lies the problem for Watford; if they are playing Championship football next season, their lack of goals will be the overriding reason why.
Just as Watford appeared to be gathering momentum, Foster handed Southampton a second goal on a plate 20 minutes from time, throwing the ball straight to Ings.
The former Liverpool striker drove at Craig Dawson before unleashing a shot that deflected off the Hornets defender and past Foster. That should have been the signal for Southampton to canter home.
But 11 minutes from time Watford were given a life line as Jan Bednarek diverted past his own keeper under pressure from Danny Welbeck.
But just moments after the restart, after Dawson fouled Che Adams, WardProwse swung home an unstoppable free-kick from 22 yards to ease any late anxieties for Southampton and intensify Watford’s relegation fears.