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Tag: Watford

  • EPL: Why Man Utd lost to Watford – Solskjaer

    EPL: Why Man Utd lost to Watford – Solskjaer

    Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has given the reasons for his side’s Premier League 4-1 defeat to Watford in the Premier League on Saturday evening.

    Solskjaer said that Watford defeated Man United because his players allowed the host to get into their box too easily.

    The Norwegian also said that Man United played poorly in the first half against Watford as four goals from Joshua King, Ismaila Sarr, Joao Pedro, and Emmanuel Bonaventure ensured the home team defeated the Red Devils.

    Speaking after the game, Solskjaer told Sky Sports: “There’s not much point in saying too much about it. We didn’t handle the first half at all.

    “We were outfought and allowed them to get into our box too easily and that’s costly against a direct and physical team like Watford.

    “Second half was so much better. We created four, five or six big chances, so if we give ourselves a mountain to climb, you just can’t catch two goals in the Premier League.

    “The first half was very, very poor and we need to get the players in a better frame of mind to start the game because, in the second half, they are playing like they have nothing to lose.”

    Asked why the first half was so poor, he added: “That’s human beings, I’ve got to say, you are surprised, all of these lads are top lads, top players and top professionals, when it’s not going for you and it’s going against you, it’s hard to play with that mental break.

  • Man Utd board holds emergency meeting on Solskjaer’s job

    Man Utd board holds emergency meeting on Solskjaer’s job

    Manchester United board are currently holding an emergency meeting to decide the fate of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

    From all indications, according to talkSPORT, it looks like the Norwegian’s reign at Old Trafford is over.

    The emergency meeting followed Manchester United’s disastrous 4-1 defeat at Watford on Saturday.

    The manager is on the brink of the sack, according to the report after the heavy defeat at Vicarage Road.

    The report even suggested that Solskjaer has been relieved of his duties as Manchester United manager.

    One of the topics of the conversation was the compensation the Norwegian will receive as the club’s hierarchy will now look for a new manager to take charge at Old Trafford.

    Two names who have been linked to replace Solskjaer are former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane and Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers.

  • Trouble for Solskjaer as Watford thrash Man Utd

    Trouble for Solskjaer as Watford thrash Man Utd

    More misery was heaped on beleaguered Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Saturday as Watford sealed a deserved Premier League victory in front of a packed Vicarage Road.

    In an electrifying first half, United were unable to deal with the high pressing of a well organised Hornets side and quickly found themselves in danger when Scott McTominay bundled forward Joshua King inside the box.

    But United goalkeeper David de Gea came to the rescue as the Spaniard saved not one, but two Ismaila Sarr penalties. Each of the Senegal winger’s efforts were tame but Kiko Femenia managed to turn in the rebound from the first spot-kick, only for the goal to ruled out because of player encroachment from both teams.

    It was not long, however, before Sarr rectified his penalty misses by sending a right-footed shot across de Gea’s goal to double Watford’s lead after King had opened the scoring thanks to Emmanuel Dennis’ assist.

    A second-half uprising saw forgotten man Donny van de Beek – brought on to replace McTominay who received a yellow card – put the ball in the net from Cristiano Ronaldo’s knock down following England winger Jadon Sancho’s searching cross.

    But the nightmare continued for Solskjaer as Harry Maguire was booked twice in seven minutes and sent off.

    A slither of hope looked to have arrived on 77 minutes after the lively Van de Beek found Ronaldo with a through ball but the Portugal captain’s goal was ruled out for offside.

    In the dying moments of the game, to the delight of the loud Watford faithful, Joao Pedro and Dennis added a third and fourth for Watford to pile more heartbreak on the travelling United supporters.

    The defeat means United have tumbled down the table to eighth on 17 points, while Claudio Ranieri’s side are only four points behind them in 15th.

    BBC

  • Maduka Okoye excited becoming Watford’s fourth Nigerian

    Maduka Okoye excited becoming Watford’s fourth Nigerian

    Sparta Rotterdam goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is excited to be joining Watford.

    The German-born Nigeria international will sign for the Hornets from January 1, 2022, and spend the rest of this season on loan at Rotterdam before joining up with Watford next summer.

    “[Watford have] great facilities and I think this is the perfect step for myself,” said Okoye.

    “I feel very good about this decision and this new step in my career.

    “I’m very comfortable in the air and I like one-on-ones. I just love the game, of course there’s room for improvement in everything but that’s what I am here for and I want to reach a new level.

    “I hope to bring security at the back and achieve our goals with the team.”

    Okoye has 13 caps for the Super Eagles, with his time on international duty having introduced him to a selection of Watford stars including William Troost-Ekong, Peter Etebo and Emmanuel Dennis.

    “Ekong, Etebo and Dennis are my guys and I’m looking forward to seeing them,” Okoye added.

    “I’m looking forward to the AFCON in January, it’s a big platform for every player and a big chance for me to represent my country in such a tournament.”

  • Arsenal players lack respect – Claudio Ranieri

    Arsenal players lack respect – Claudio Ranieri

    Watford manager Claudio Ranieri accused Arsenal’s players of showing a lack of respect as the Gunners claimed a narrow victory in manager Mikel Arteta’s 100th match in charge.

    The in-form Emile Smith Rowe scored in a third successive Premier League game, sending Arsenal up to fifth in the table with a low drive from outside the box after 56 minutes.

    However, prior to the goal Watford had put the ball out of play due to an injury and the hosts chose not to return possession from the resulting throw-in.

    “When we put the ball out voluntarily, everyone expects [the opponent] to give the ball back to you but there was not that respect from the Arsenal players,” Ranieri told BBC Sport.

    Arteta responded: “I would say that we are the most honest team and in some stages we can even become naive.”

    The Spaniard added: “If he felt like that towards our club, I have to apologise if that’s the case but I am sure there is no intention to take any advantage.”

  • King hat-trick gives Ranieri first win as Watford boss

    King hat-trick gives Ranieri first win as Watford boss

    Joshua King’s hat-trick helped Watford to a stunning first win under Claudio Ranieri as Everton collapsed in a pulsating Premier League game at Goodison Park.

    Tom Davies put the hosts ahead early on but Watford equalised before the break through King from close range.

    Former Hornets striker Richarlison put Everton ahead again but Juraj Kucka’s header drew Watford level.

    King, who didn’t score for Everton during his spell there in the first half of 2021, then struck twice inside six minutes before Emmanuel Dennis put the seal on an incredible comeback.

    While Watford had never won at Goodison in any competition before this match, Ranieri has happier memories of trips to Everton – this was his fifth consecutive win at the ground.

    It is a second successive home defeat for Everton’s former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez and some boos greeted the Spaniard’s decision to replace Anthony Gordon with Richarlison in the second half.

    He seemed vindicated when the Brazilian struck with a fine diving header just three minutes after coming on, but Benitez then saw his side’s lead evaporate in a disastrous final 10 minutes that leaves his side in eighth place.

    Watford, having started life under Ranieri with an emphatic defeat against Liverpool, climb the table to 14th – suddenly well clear of the relegation zone.

  • Firmino hits hat-trick as Liverpool spoil Ranieri’s Watford bow

    Firmino hits hat-trick as Liverpool spoil Ranieri’s Watford bow

    Roberto Firmino scored a hat-trick as rampant Liverpool condemned Claudio Ranieri to a miserable start to life as Watford manager in a one-sided game at Vicarage Road.

    The home side had no answer to Liverpool’s fluid attacking play.

    Sadio Mane became the third African player to score 100 Premier League goals before Roberto Firmino struck either side of the break and Mohamed Salah finished a brilliant individual goal with a smart shot beyond Ben Foster.

    Firmino completed the scoring in the final minute for his first hat-trick since December 2018.

    The result means Liverpool have scored three goals or more in all six away games in all competitions so far this season, something no other English top-flight side has ever managed. It also extended their unbeaten start to the season and took them back to the top of the table, before Chelsea’s visit to Brentford.

    It could easily have been more but a combination of bad luck and – from Salah – a terrible mis-control cost them further opportunities.

    Watford did not manage a corner until the 78th minute. That it was greeted with huge cheers and a standing ovation just about summed up Ranieri’s day.

  • Premier League club sack manager over poor results

    Premier League club sack manager over poor results

    Premier League club Watford have sacked their manager Xisco Munoz after 10 months in the job.

    The 41-year-old Spaniard helped win promotion to EPL last season after joining in December 2020.

    Watford are 14th with seven points from seven games and Munoz’s last match in charge was Saturday’s 1-0 defeat by Leeds United.

    “The board feels recent performances strongly indicate a negative trend at a time when team cohesion should be visibly improving,” the club said.

    “The Hornets will always be grateful to Xisco for the part he played in securing last season’s promotion and wish him well for his future career in football.

    “No further club comment will be available until the imminent announcement of a new head coach.”

    Watford have had five managers in two years and there has been no indication of who will replace Munoz.

    The club, who were also knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Stoke in September, will next play Liverpool on 16 October in a league fixture.

  • Llorente gives Leeds first league win against Watford

    Llorente gives Leeds first league win against Watford

    Leeds picked up their first victory in the Premier League this season as defender Diego Llorente returned from injury to score the winner over Watford.

    Llorente, who picked up a hamstring injury in the defeat by Liverpool, instinctively poked it in from close range after a corner delivery bounced off Watford’s Juraj Kucka at the back post.

    It capped off a dominant first-half display from Leeds but failure to take their chances made for a nervy ending.

    Watford, who were sloppy in possession and passive for large parts of the game, had a goal ruled out in the second half for a foul in the build-up after goalkeeper Illan Meslier’s fumble almost proved costly.

    But despite the narrow scoreline, Leeds were comfortably the better side, leaving Elland Road with three points for the first time this season.

  • Watford joins Nigeria to Celebrate her 61st Independence Day

    Watford joins Nigeria to Celebrate her 61st Independence Day

    English Premier League club, Watford has joined Nigeria to celebrate her 61st independence day.

    A happy independence message was sent to Nigerians through the club social media platforms, this morning. They wrote on their page; “Happy Independence Day to all of our Nigerian Hornets!”

     

    Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. They play in the Premier League, the top tier of English football, having been promoted in 2021.

     

    The club has great connections with Nigeria, as they currently have four Nigerian players – Midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo, defender William Troost-Ekong, striker Emmanuel Dennis and Tom Dele-Bashiru who is out on loan at Reading – on their payroll. The likes of Odion Ighalo, Issac Success and Danny Shittu also played for Watford in the past.