Hendrick has a head for Clarets
years ago. And despite Watford’s outstanding result against Manchester United last time out, this was the type of game that felt like it needed to yield some reward for Burnley.
They certainly started as though that were the case, pinning Watford back for most of the first half.
Critically, they had been the division’s lowest scorers with just three goals from the opening five games and for a while it looked as though that statistic would trouble them again. George Boyd saw a shot touched over by Heurelho Gomes and Vokes, a constant handful in the air, was unable to direct two headers goalwards.
Iceland international Johann Gudmundsson also saw a long-range effort skid just wide but seven minutes before the break the home side finally got their reward as they took a deserved lead when Hendrick was allowed to connect with a Defour corner and his header found the bottom corner.
Watford had barely got out of first gear but Odion Ighalo did at least extend Tom Heaton with a header.
Watford, re-shuffled to a 4-4-2 at the break, started the second half with more purpose and Troy Deeney’s fierce drive was beaten out. But Burnley added a second moments later, again Defour delivering after his initial corner had been blocked for Keane to head his first of the season. And only Gomes’ fine save denied Defour a third.
BURNLEY (4-1-4-1): Booked: Goals: Next up: WATFORD (3-5-2): Booked: Next up: