MATCH FACTS
■ Brighton have lost just one of their last seven top-flight meetings with Watford (W2 D4), a 0-2 defeat in the Premier League in August 2018. though, chances were few and far between and they will need to sort it if they aren’t going to become even more embroiled in the fight to stay up than they already are.
None of that was the fault of striker Murray, the club’s second-top scorer, who needs just 12 more goals to draw level with Tommy Cook.
But those behind him need to show more belief if they are to make the chances he and, more often, Neal Maupay will need, if they are going to stay up. Davy Propper popped the ball around nicely from his deep-lying midfield role and much of Brighton’s good work came from the Dutchman.
But, for most of the game, they didn’t have the nous needed to unlock a team that Pearson has made far more solid in defence.
Brighton were quick to find their rhythm, with Propper conducting the show, but the only chance they were able to create came when Solly March clipped a hanging ball into the box and Murray wasn’t able to get purchase on his header. Not that Watford sat back. Doucoure and Etienne Capoue combined to dispossess Mooy on the halfway line, as he dwelled too long, and Doucoure emerged with it at his feet.
He burst forward at pace, dropping a shoulder as he approached the box to drive inside on his right foot and unleashed a bullet from the edge of the area that gave Mat Ryan, in his 100th appearance for Brighton, no chance.
A truly sweet strike from the Frenchman (right), who headed for Pearson’s No.2 Craig Shakespeare in celebration.
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