Huddersfield storm to victory against Watford in heated clash at Vicarage Road
Watford 1 Huddersfield Town 4: Both sides ended the game with 10 players each, though it was the visitors who secured a well-deserved win
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Aaron Mooy's double fired Huddersfield to a pulsating 4-1 win at Watford and only their second away win of the season.
Elias Kachunga and Mooy put Huddersfield two goals to the good at Vicarage Road before Troy Deeney was sent off for a dangerous lunge on Colin Quaner.
Laurent Depoitre added a third for the visitors shortly after half-time only for Watford to threaten a comeback when Huddersfield's Jonathan Hogg was shown a second yellow card and Abdoulaye Doucoure reduced the deficit with a sweet half-volley.
Doucoure, however, then turned villain by fouling Depoitre in the box late on and Mooy banged in his second, Huddersfield's fourth, from the penalty spot to cap a thrilling victory.
This was the battle of the Premier League's fast starters, with Huddersfield sitting sixth in the table after the first six games of the season and Watford fourth after eight.
But both teams have stuttered in recent weeks. Huddersfield's win here was only their second in seven Premier League matches while Watford have now lost three in a row and four of their last five.
Huddersfield were excellent defensively and clinical up front. Watford were undone by a combination of recklessness from Deeney and rash defending.
David Wagner's men, who move up to 11th, had not scored an away goal since the opening weekend but they had two in 23 minutes here, albeit with a chunk of help from the officials for the first.
Watford failed to clear the initial corner but Quaner was offside when Mooy picked him out at the back past and so was Kachunga when he then converted the shot from close range.
If Watford felt hard done by, they only had themselves to blame for Huddersfield's second.
Quaner drifted in behind the right flank and Jose Holebas made only a passing attempt to block the cross before Adrian Mariappa slipped, allowing Mooy to bundle home his third goal of the season.
With 29 minutes gone, Mariappa was replaced by Roberto Pereyra as Marco Silva sacrificed one at the back for another up front but the manager's plans were given only four minutes to air before Deeney intervened.
Quaner was ambling harmlessly down the right when Deeney came crashing into him from behind with a two-footed lunge, in the air, that left referee Michael Oliver no option but to produce a red card. Silva slouched in his seat, arms folded, shaking his head.
Half-time was greeted with boos by some of the home support but worse was to come as Depoitre added a third five minutes after the restart, with Watford's defending even more farcical.
Holebas was again involved. He seemed to have won his battle with Quaner but instead of clearing, went down clutching his face. Depoitre duly arrived to slam the ball past Heurelho Gomes. Holebas was fit enough still to continue.
After a nightmare hour, however, Watford were handed a reprieve when Hogg failed to see Richarlison approaching behind him and instead of kicking the ball kicked the Brazilian. Oliver showed Hogg a second yellow card and both teams were down to 10.
Watford's hope was instantly restored and then boosted again after Doucoure's sweet half-volley from the edge of the area sailed into the net with 22 minutes left.
Richarlison and Gray, on from the bench, both had chances to set up a grandstand finish but neither could capitalise and instead it was Huddersfield who added a final flourish.
Doucoure took a heavy touch in the box before bringing down the lively Depoitre. Mooy stepped up to slam home the penalty and confirm a emphatic victory.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments