FLETCHER’S STUNNING STRIKE EASES HEAT ON POTTERS BOSS HUGHES

DARREN FLETCHER scored a spectacular volley to secure a first away win of the season for Stoke and ease the pressure on boss Mark Hughes.

The Scotland international (below) struck midway through the first half to edge the Potters in front, driving a volley past Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes from the edge of the area after a clever set-piece routine, and the away side held on despite late pressure to take all three points.

Hughes revealed that it was he and assistant boss Mark Bowen’s work on the training ground that exposed a chink in the Hornets’ defensive armour, with Fletcher taking full advantage.

‘We practised it, believe it or not, because a lot of people would have you believe we don’t actually work on set-pieces, but clearly we do,’ he said.

‘We could see that they like to pack the six-yard box with bodies on set-pieces, particularly corners, so we wanted to get the ball out to the edge of the box.

‘I have to say that the first couple of attempts at it in training didn’t place a great deal of goodwill in our hearts to be perfectly honest. ‘Thankfully, though, Darren has caught it incredibly sweet when it really mattered to win us the game.’ Elsewhere, Wilfried Zaha salvaged a late point for Crystal Palace with a 97thminute equaliser to cap a spirited fight back by Roy Hodgson’s men and leave West Ham boss Slaven Bilic on his knees in despair.

The Hammers had marched into a 2-0 lead at the break thanks to strikes from Javier Hernandez and Andre Ayew.

But Luka Milivojevic converted a penalty to give the home side hope, before Palace talisman Zaha’s low strike with seconds remaining crept past Joe Hart to spark wild celebrations.