SOUTHAMPTON 0 WATFORD 2 Doucoure (38), Janmaat (66)

LONG-RANGE strikes from Abdoulaye Doucoure and Daryl Janmaat ended Southampton’s unbeaten start and lifted Watford into the top four.

The goals secured a comfortable victory for the Hornets as Saints’ struggles in front of goal continued.

Doucoure pounced shortly before the break from outside the box and Janmaat hit a second-half cracker just four minutes after coming on as a substitute.

Meanwhile, shot-shy Southampton drew a blank for the third time in their four Premier League matches so far this season.

They have issues to address at the back, too, as there was again no Virgil van Dijk in the line-up, with Wesley Hoedt handed his debut.

The new boy was kept busy early on by the bustling Hornets striker Andre Gray, while Brazilian youngster Richarlison was proving a handful down the left.

Richarlison created the first decent opening, midway through

the first half, when he evaded two defenders before seeing his shot deflected wide by Jack Stephens.

Neither goalkeeper was troubled until seven minutes before halftime, when Southampton only half cleared a ball into their penalty area and Doucoure smashed home a right-footed volley from 20 yards.

Fraser Forster had to be alert moments later to deny Richarlison, as Watford finished the half on top.

The Saints staged a brief revival after the interval, but Sofiane Boufal sliced his shot over and Nathan Redmond hit the side-netting.

A Watford defence already hit by injuries was stretched further when Younes Kaboul and Kiko Femenia both limped off on the hour.

But rather than knocking the visitors out of their stride, the changes paid dividends as one of the subs, Janmaat, expertly found the far corner from 25 yards out.

Saints boss Mauricio Pellegrino sent on Shane Long and Charlie Austin in desperate search of a goal, but it made no difference as the home side lost meekly.