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Writer's pictureBobby Vincent

Watford 3-2 Cardiff City

Watford survived a late scare from Cardiff City to seal their first win in the Premier League since late October.

Gerard Delofeu, Jose Holebas and Domingos Quinas scored for the Hornets after the majority of the match being dominated by the Hornets.

Cardiff refused to back down, though, and Junior Hoilett and Bobby Reid produced a late fightback for the Bluebirds, but it wasn't to be.

Neil Warnock's team move down to 16th in the table, and Watford have moved into ninth place following the dominant display.

 

How It Happened

Deulofeu opened the scoring for the Hornets, with a goal demonstrating the winger's fine talent.

It was magical footwork from Deulofeu as he weaved his way through the Cardiff defence before breaking the deadlock.

Roberto Pereyra went close soon after, but Watford's top scorer's first touch let him down.

Watford dominated proceedings in the first-half; enjoying 75% of the possession and they soon added two goals after the restart.

Deulofeu turned provider as he laid off Holebas, who curled one past Neil Etheridge into the top corner.

It was soon three for Javi Gracia's men - who were looking like the side who started the season on fire.

Ken Sema teed up Quina, who like Holebas, found the top corner leaving Etheridge with no chance whatsoever.

However, the Hornets became complacent after the third goal.

Hoilett, who already has a collection of superb strikes, added to his collection with 10 minutes remaining; curling one into the top corner.

It looked just a consolation for the Bluebirds, but Reid soon gave them hope after poking in from close-range.

But Watford held on and for 80 minutes of the game; Gracia would have been delighted with how his side performed.

 

The Managers

Watford manager Javi Gracia was overall satisfied with his team's performance, claiming they "dominated' the first 70 minutes of the match.

"The end of the game was different than the most part of it," Gracia said. "We dominated the first 70 minutes, we created a lot of chances and we could have got a better victory today.

"Their goalkeeper was amazing. The last part of the game I think was a good lesson for us to know how we have to manage the game.

"The last games we have played well, but today we deserved the win. It is important for the players and supporters. All of them deserve the victory."

Cardiff boss Neil Warnock has admitted his disappointment in too many individual errors that resulted in goals.

"I am disappointed with the individual errors for the goals, but I am pleased with the way we kept going," Warnock said.

"We set ourselves up to be difficult to break down and I cannot legislate for individual errors.

"We cannot keep playing like this every week and losing - we need to get results away from home."

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