Watford finally on target on the road

A MISERABLE, wet day at Turf Moor turned out to be the perfect weather for breaking Watford ducks. The visitors were yet to score away from home under Javi Gracia since his arrival way back on January 21. That miserable run had seen Watford pick up just one point from a possible 21. Seven games, six defeats, one draw. And yet here, against a disjointed Burnley they did it not once, but three times in a result that will raise questions about the merits of the losers’ European adventure. Sean Dyche, the Burnley manager, made six changes from the team that qualified for the Europa League playoff round on Thursday, restoring the starting XI which earned a point at Southampton last weekend. The result was an uncharacteristically sloppy display. Watford took the lead through Andre Gray and, after James Tarkowski’s equaliser, two second-half strikes in three minutes — from Troy Deeney (above) and Will Hughes — put them out of sight. The thing about a good adventure is that it usually relies on a happy ending. While Burnley fans will embrace overseas trips, the chances of their side winning the Europa League are slim so the club will have to prioritise their resources .

BURNLEY (4-5-1): Hart 6; Lowton 5.5, Tarkowski 6.5, Mee 6, Ward 6 (Taylor 74min, 5); Lennon 6, Hendrick 5.5 (Vokes 70, 6), Cork 6.5, Westwood 6, Gudmundsson 7; Wood 6 (Barnes 65, 5). Subs not used: Heaton, Gibson, Bardsley, Long. Scorer: Tarkowski 6.

Booked: Ward. Manager: Sean Dyche 6.

WATFORD (4-4-2): Foster 6; Janmaat 6.5, Kabasele 6.5, Cathcart 6.5, Holebas 7; Hughes 7.5 (Femenia 83), Capoue 6.5, Doucoure 7, Pereyra 6.5; Gray 7 (Sema 68, 6), Deeney 8 (Success 88). Subs not used: Gomes, Prodl, Mariappa, Masina. Scorers: Gray 3, Deeney 48, Hughes 51. Booked: Hughes, Janmaat. Manager: Javi Gracia 8. Referee: Paul Tierney 6. Attendance: 18,822.