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Watford 2 Derby 1: Vydra scores as Hornets move up to second
By Steve Martyn
PUBLISHED:17:36, 23 February 2013| UPDATED:22:05, 23 February 2013
Gianfranco Zola praised Watford's resolve after they capitalised on Hull's defeat at Bolton to move into the automatic promotion places.
Watford took the lead when top scorer Matej Vydra tucked away his 20th league goal of the season from 18 yards after racing clear of the Derby defence.
Vydra's shot from the left side of the area flew past Derby keeper Adam Legzdins, striking the inside of the far post before trickling into the back of the net.
Lethal: Matej Vydra scores the first for Watford and his 20th of the season
Match facts
Watford: Almunia (Bond 45), Doyley, Nosworthy, Ekstrand, Cassetti, Abdi, Battocchio, Chalobah, Anya, Vydra (Deeney 87), Geijo (Hogg 75).
Subs Not Used: Yeates, Forsyth, Murray, Forestieri.
Goals: Vydra 35, Ekstrand 68.
Derby: Legzdins, Davies, Brayford, Keogh, Hoganson (Buxton 46), Bryson, Coutts, Hendrick, Jacobs (Martin 46), Ward, Sammon (Bennett 72).
Subs Not Used: Fielding, Doyle, Gjokaj, Hanson.
Booked: Davies, Ward.
Goals: Ward 73 pen.
Att: 14,425
Ref: Mark Haywood (W Yorkshire).
A third successive Watford win looked assured midway through the second period when Joel Ekstrand bundled in a Almen Abdi corner.
But Jamie Ward gave Derby hope soon after, blasting in a penalty which had been awarded for an apparent push following a corner.
Lloyd Doyley was deemed the guilty man before Northern Ireland international Ward picked himself up and, in front of the 930 travelling supporters, struck his spot-kick straight down the middle of the goal.
Watford boss Zola said: 'Obviously if you ask my opinion about the penalty, I'm not very happy about it. I thought it was a soft one.
'If that was a penalty, how many penalties do you have to give in the box? But OK, the penalty was given, no complaints.
'I think it's made it more difficult for my heart, but we held on anyway and we came out with three points that are very, very important, especially because we were playing against a good team and it was the third game in a week.
'I think there were eight players out of 11 that played 90 minutes today, 90 minutes Tuesday, 90 minutes the other Saturday. When you are tired, things become more difficult. The only nervous one was me.'
Derby sensed they could get something from the game and teenage Watford goalkeeper Jonathan Bond, making his first league start because of an injury to Manuel Almunia, had to save from substitute Mason Bennett and loan signing Chris Martin.
However, Watford held on for a seventh victory in the last nine league games and went second in the table behind leaders Cardiff.
Derby boss Nigel Clough said: 'We're quite pleased with the performance generally. We had numerous situations and it's been a failing of ours; we don't make the most of them in the final third.
'Whether it's decision-making or a lack of quality and then our old achilles heel, failing to defend a corner as well has ultimately cost us the game.
On a run: Watford won their third match in a row to move up to second
'There was nothing in the game generally between the two teams. They were two passing sides, I didn't think there was a great deal, just that little bit of quality and us failing to defend the set play.'
The Derby manager could not speak highly enough of his side's work-rate and added: 'They're absolutely knackered again, they give it absolutely everything.
'I said to them you've got to learn that you're wasting your own work in some ways. You're putting so much in and there's just little things that are stopping us getting a point or three.
'The second we rectify those or do whatever we can, then they'll be getting the rewards for their hard work. You can't fault their effort.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...#ixzz2LlM9Qyh7
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By Steve Martyn
PUBLISHED:17:36, 23 February 2013| UPDATED:22:05, 23 February 2013
Gianfranco Zola praised Watford's resolve after they capitalised on Hull's defeat at Bolton to move into the automatic promotion places.
Watford took the lead when top scorer Matej Vydra tucked away his 20th league goal of the season from 18 yards after racing clear of the Derby defence.
Vydra's shot from the left side of the area flew past Derby keeper Adam Legzdins, striking the inside of the far post before trickling into the back of the net.
Lethal: Matej Vydra scores the first for Watford and his 20th of the seasonMatch facts
Watford: Almunia (Bond 45), Doyley, Nosworthy, Ekstrand, Cassetti, Abdi, Battocchio, Chalobah, Anya, Vydra (Deeney 87), Geijo (Hogg 75).
Subs Not Used: Yeates, Forsyth, Murray, Forestieri.
Goals: Vydra 35, Ekstrand 68.
Derby: Legzdins, Davies, Brayford, Keogh, Hoganson (Buxton 46), Bryson, Coutts, Hendrick, Jacobs (Martin 46), Ward, Sammon (Bennett 72).
Subs Not Used: Fielding, Doyle, Gjokaj, Hanson.
Booked: Davies, Ward.
Goals: Ward 73 pen.
Att: 14,425
Ref: Mark Haywood (W Yorkshire).
A third successive Watford win looked assured midway through the second period when Joel Ekstrand bundled in a Almen Abdi corner.
But Jamie Ward gave Derby hope soon after, blasting in a penalty which had been awarded for an apparent push following a corner.
Lloyd Doyley was deemed the guilty man before Northern Ireland international Ward picked himself up and, in front of the 930 travelling supporters, struck his spot-kick straight down the middle of the goal.
Watford boss Zola said: 'Obviously if you ask my opinion about the penalty, I'm not very happy about it. I thought it was a soft one.
'If that was a penalty, how many penalties do you have to give in the box? But OK, the penalty was given, no complaints.
'I think it's made it more difficult for my heart, but we held on anyway and we came out with three points that are very, very important, especially because we were playing against a good team and it was the third game in a week.
'I think there were eight players out of 11 that played 90 minutes today, 90 minutes Tuesday, 90 minutes the other Saturday. When you are tired, things become more difficult. The only nervous one was me.'
Derby sensed they could get something from the game and teenage Watford goalkeeper Jonathan Bond, making his first league start because of an injury to Manuel Almunia, had to save from substitute Mason Bennett and loan signing Chris Martin.
However, Watford held on for a seventh victory in the last nine league games and went second in the table behind leaders Cardiff.
Derby boss Nigel Clough said: 'We're quite pleased with the performance generally. We had numerous situations and it's been a failing of ours; we don't make the most of them in the final third.
'Whether it's decision-making or a lack of quality and then our old achilles heel, failing to defend a corner as well has ultimately cost us the game.
On a run: Watford won their third match in a row to move up to second'There was nothing in the game generally between the two teams. They were two passing sides, I didn't think there was a great deal, just that little bit of quality and us failing to defend the set play.'
The Derby manager could not speak highly enough of his side's work-rate and added: 'They're absolutely knackered again, they give it absolutely everything.
'I said to them you've got to learn that you're wasting your own work in some ways. You're putting so much in and there's just little things that are stopping us getting a point or three.
'The second we rectify those or do whatever we can, then they'll be getting the rewards for their hard work. You can't fault their effort.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...#ixzz2LlM9Qyh7
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