Hornets heat up Sir Elton
WATFORD ended the season with a bang – after being inspired by Rocket Man Sir Elton John.
The megastar, and club life president, was at Vicarage Road to watch his beloved side for the first time under boss Xisco Munoz.
And a day that started with a speech from Sir Elton followed by a massive fireworks, fire and ticker-tape display, ended in the same way for the Hornets.
A wonder strike from Isaac Success followed up an Andre Gray effort as Watford reached 91 points, making it 19 home wins in the process.
Xisco said: “Elton (below) has a big passion for the club. It was the first time he’s seen a game in the stadium.
“He’s a big legend, he brought the name of Watford to the world.
“It was important when the big personalities are coming into the dressing room and showing the passion. He gave the support in the dressing room.
“I spoke with him and it was good to have him at the stadium with us.
“It was a surprise for me too to see all the fire before the game. But the fireworks were very good.
“I can only congratulate our players as we’ve done very good things.”
Watford rang the changes – six of them – as Xisco gave fringe players a chance, but the first half was poor with just three Philip Zinckernagel efforts.
The second half was different with the deadlock broken on 56 minutes.
Marc Guehi failed to cut out the impressive Ken Sema’s powerful cross and the ball hit Gray and went in.
The Hornets wrapped it up three minutes from the end as Success, who had been poor, unleashed a magical half-volley from the edge of the area.
WATFORD: Foster 7; Navarro 6, Kabasele 7, Cathcart 7, Lazaar 6; Sanchez 5 (Pedro 65, 6), Gosling 7 (Wilmot 82, 6), Zinckernagel 7 (Hughes 65, 7); Success 7, Gray 7 (Deeney 72, 6), Sema 7 (Masina 82). Unused Subs: Bachmann, Troost-Ekong, Perica, Sierralta. SWANSEA: Woodman 7; Roberts 6, Bennett 7, Guehi 6, Bidwell 7; Fulton 6, Grimes 7 (Smith 66, 6), Hourihane 7 (Whittaker 77); Ayew 6 (O Cooper 65, 6), Lowe 6 (Dhanda 66, 6), Cullen 6 (Routledge 66, 6). Unused Subs: Hamer, Manning, Latibeaudiere, Naughton. MAN OF THE MATCH: Ken Sema. Fine performance down Watford’s left and it was his cross that set up opener. REFEREE: Geoff Eltringham 7.