Deeney makes the difference as Watford hold off late Stoke surge

It is safe to say Vladimir Ivic was not professing his love for Troy Deeney when he dropped him for his last game in charge of Watford.

But the revolving door at Vicarage Road has brought a new manager and an altogether more affectionate relationship. Xisco Munoz marked his first away win in charge with a tribute to his captain, penalty-taker – and creator-in-chief. “The performance from Troy was perfect,” he said. “I love him because he gives everything.”

Deeney helped Watford go level on points with second-place Swansea. after securing just their third victory on the road. Stalemate beckoned until Deeney and Ismaila Sarr’s five-minute double.

Often Watford’s enforcer, Deeney also showed a deft touch with passes that led to both goals, while Sarr’s speed twice proved decisive. “The biggest problem tonight was Sarr and the quality he displayed,” said Stoke manager Michael O’neill.

But the opener proved a harsh lesson for Stoke’s 20-year-old goalkeeper, Joe Bursik. Deeney’s lovely chipped pass found Sarr in space, Bursik saved his volley, only to clip Joao Pedro’s heels when he closed in on the rebound. Deeney’s past four goals have been spot-kicks and he dispatched this one with an emphatic thump.

Then he showed his passing range again with a defence-splitting ball for the onrushing Sarr, who angled his shot beyond Bursik. “The second goal was amazing,” said Munoz. “This is our style.”

“Five minutes turns the game on its head,” rued O’neill, whose team have now gone eight games without a win. They got a goal back, through Steven Fletcher’s dinked finish, but their play-off hopes are fading.

O’neill said: “We will have to have a very good run to have an impact on the top six.”

Stoke City (4-5-1): Bursik; Collins, Souttar, Chester, Norrington-davies (Matondo 77); Clarke (Vokes 82), Allen, Mikel, Clucas (Fletcher 71), Mcclean; Powell.

Subs Gunn (g), Batth, Smith, Brown, Cousins, Thompson.

Booked Collins.

Watford (4-4-2): Bachmann; Femenia (Ngakia 74), Troost-ekong, Sierralta (Cathcart 74), Masina; Cleverley (Wilmot 91), Hughes (Zinckernagel 61), Chalobah, Sarr; Deeney, Pedro (Gray 91). Subs Parkes (g), Garner, Navarro, Crichlow. Booked Femenia, Sierralta.

Referee Oliver Langford (West Midlands).