HODGSON’S HORNETS ON THE BRINK

WATFORD were pushed closer to the brink of relegation yesterday after a heavy defeat to survival rivals Leeds at Vicarage Road.

Goals from Raphinha, Rodrigo and Jack Harrison helped Jesse Marsch’s side to a victory that puts Leeds nine points clear of 18th-placed Burnley, however the Clarets do have three games in hand.

The situation is dire for the Hornets, though. Watford are languishing in 19th and are six points behind Everton in 17th, who have a game in hand.

Roy Hodgson hasn’t given up the ghost but he did not seem filled with belief that Watford can stay up.

‘I never use the word confident,’ said Hodgson, whose side have lost four in five. ‘Confidence comes with winning matches but we don’t win matches so how can we get that? No word can change that.’

Marsch — whose team must now wait 15 days to play again — cautioned against complacency. ‘Yes,’ he said to the question of whether the team could still be relegated.