Watford sack manager, blame Everton

Watford fired manager Marco Silva yesterday, blaming English Premier League rivals Everton for the club’s dip in form.

The club announced the move and pointed the finger at Everton’s approach for Silva in November as a catalyst for ‘‘a significant deterioration in both focus and results.’’

‘‘Watford Football Club has parted company with Marco Silva,’’ a team statement said. ‘‘This has been a difficult decision and one not taken lightly.’’

‘‘The club is convinced the appointment of Silva was the right one and had it not been for the unwarranted approach ... we would have continued to prosper under his leadership,’’ it added. ‘‘For the security and success of the football club, the board believes it has to make a change.’’

Watford was beaten 2-0 by Leicester City on Sunday. It has endured a difficult stretch in the league, winning just one of its past five games.

The team is 10th in the league standings with 26 points from 24 matches. Former Malaga boss Javi Gracia has been confirmed as Silva’s replacement at Watford.

Meanwhile, struggling Southampton held Tottenham Hotspur to a 1-1 draw at St Mary’s Stadium yesterday to keep Spurs outside the top four.

Harry Kane scored his Premier League-leading 21st goal of the season after Southampton went ahead in the 15th minute. Tottenham defender Davinson Sanchez deflected the ball into his own net while trying to clear Ryan Bertrand’s cross.

Spurs stay fifth and fourthplaced Liverpool can pull five points clear in the Champions League spots with a win at Swansea today