Pereyra inspires brave Watford to outfox Leicester

WATFORD struck after just 33 seconds as they edged past defending champions Leicester City 2-1 at Vicarage Road.

Etienne Capoue volleyed the hosts ahead in the first minute and former Juventus man Roberto Pereyra curled home a sublime strike to double the lead on 12 minutes.

Riyad Mahrez converted from the penalty spot three minutes later but the Foxes failed to find a leveller and now sit just two points above the relegation zone.

Watford boss Walter Mazzarri hailed the influence of midfield maestro Pereyra (above).

He said: ‘The way Roberto Pereyra played, not just the goal he scored, he ran the whole game and I am very happy with him.

‘We got the win and I’m very happy. We played the football that I like my team to play and this time we were good enough to score.’

Elsewhere, Everton were forced to come back from behind to salvage a 1-1 draw with Swansea at Goodison Park.

Gylfi Sigurdsson’s 41st-minute penalty gave the visitors a shock lead but Bob Bradley was denied his first victory in charge as Swansea manager when Everton finally made their persistent pressure count. Right-back Seamus Coleman headed home a scrappy leveller on 89 minutes.

Meanwhile, Bournemouth edged out Stoke City 1-0 to earn their first victory on the road in the Premier League this season.

Nathan Ake’s header on 26 minutes proved to be the difference for Eddie Howe’s men and ended Stoke’s unbeaten run of six matches.

The hosts wasted numerous chances to preserve their recent record.

Bojan Krkic smashed a penalty off the crossbar and Jon Walters and Xherdan Shaqiri both missed gilt-edged chances late on for the hosts.