REPORT: WATFORD 1 - 0 BURNLEY

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Clarets suffer first defeat of the season

2022-08-12T20:55:49.656Z

REPORT: WATFORD 1 - 0 BURNLEY

Clarets suffer first defeat of the season

2022-08-12T20:55:49.656Z

Clarets suffer first defeat of the season

Burnley fell to their first loss of the season at Vicarage Road on Friday Night, as a first-half stoppage time goal from skipper Tom Cleverley gave the Hornets all three points and proved to be the difference, in a battling performance from the Clarets.

Vincent Kompany made just one change from the side that drew 1-1 with Luton Town last weekend at Turf Moor, as forward Manuel Benson replaced Jack Cork in the starting XI. Midfielder Josh Brownhill wore the armband for the visitors.

First Half

Watford were gifted an early opportunity with nine minutes played, as Ismaila Sarr intercepted Arijanet Muric’s pass out from the back, but Josh Cullen’s perfectly timed challenge took the ball away from the Hornets forward on the edge of the area and away from danger.

There was not much to separate the two sides, with Burnley enjoying plenty of the ball but no real opportunities created, as we reached the drinks break goalless, midway through the first-half.

With half-an-hour played, the hosts came close, as a dangerous ball into the area for Joao Pedro was excellently intercepted by Connor Roberts in the centre of the box and cleared away.

Rob Edwards’ side had another opportunity minutes later, as Pedro’s cross to Sarr at the back-post was brought down well, but fired well over Muric’s bar by the Senegalese striker.

And in first-half stoppage time Watford struck, as Ken Sema cut the ball back to Hornets skipper Cleverley inside the area, who fired home into the bottom corner to give the home side the lead at the break.

Second Half

Kompany made one change at the break, as Dara Costelloe made way for Jack Cork and a shuffle in formation for the away side. Meanwhile, Edwards replaced Cleverley, who picked up a knock during his goal, with Dan Gosling.

The hosts started the second-half bright, but the first chance of the second period fell to Burnley and Brownhill, who saw his effort from close range denied by Daniel Bachmann.

Moments later, Samuel Bastien saw his effort sail just over the bar from just inside the box, as the Clarets searched for an equaliser in Hertfordshire.

On the hour mark debutant Nathan Tella, who signed on loan from Southampton on Thursday, and striker Jay Rodriguez were introduced for the attacking duo of Benson and Barnes.

With 20 minutes left on the clock, Kompany’s men came close once again, as Ian Maatsen’s pinpoint cross found Brownhill at the far-post, but Bachmann denied the midfielder well with his feet.

In the 80th minute Watford were then down to 10 men, as Kamara brought down Vitinho on the break being the last man, with referee awarding a free-kick just outside the area, which Brownhill hit sweet, but Bachmann was equal to it.

And in stoppage time Brownhill rattled the crossbar with an effort from inside the area.

Despite the Clarets’ best efforts at grabbing an equaliser in the second-half, the Hornets’ defence stood strong to keep Burnley out and secure their second home win of the season.

Watford: Bachmann, Sema, Gaspar, Sierralta, Cathcart, Kayembe, Cleverley © (Gosling), Choudhury (Kabasele 82), Kamara, Pedro (Asprilla 79), Sarr (Bayo 64)

Subs not used: Hamer, Ngakia, Manaj

Burnley: Muric, Roberts, Harwood-Bellis, Taylor, Maatsen, Bastien (Vitinho 75), Cullen (McNally 90), Brownhill ©, Benson (Tella 62), Barnes (Rodriguez 62), Costelloe (Cork HT)

Subs not used: Peacock-Farrell, Egan-Riley

Referee: Thomas Bramall

Goals: Cleverley 45+1