Josh King scores twice as Bournemouth thrash Watford to climb into the Premier League’s top six
Watford 0-4 Bournemouth: Josh King and Callum Wilson ran riot as the Cherries picked off sorry Watford at Vicarage Road
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Your support makes all the difference.For the growing number of Premier League observers who believe that the gulf between the ‘big six’ and the rest is growing ever wider, this fixture might have been billed ‘the best of the rest.’
Both Watford and Bournemouth have enjoyed starts which have propelled them into the top half of the division with the Europa League a realistic possibility for both.
Bournemouth were emphatically the better here, racing into a three goal half-time lead with Christian Kabasele having been sent off for two bookings after 33 minutes.
The Cherries now have 16 points after eight games. It took them double the number to reach the same tally last season.
The Autumn wind and rain had not dampened the gloom around Vicarage Road, where the Hornets were playing their first game since narrowly losing to Manchester United last month.
But Eddie Howe’s side soon soured the atmosphere with the Hornets now without a win in four Premier League games and many of their supporters heading for the exits long before the final whistle.
The home side had the first chance of note, a flurry of goalmouth activity resulted in chances for Andre Gray and Roberto Pereyra before Asmir Begovic finally clung on to Will Hughes’ effort.
A minute later, the Hornets were calling for a penalty after Hughes’ volley struck Adam Smith on the edge of the area.
It wasn’t given and Bournemouth struck a clinical blow on the counter after excellent work from Ryan Fraser and Joshua King teed up Callum Wilson. His shot was brilliantly saved by Ben Foster but David Brooks coolly stroked home the rebound.
Javi Gracia’s side should have been level soon after but Craig Cathcart directed Jose Holebas’ corner the wrong side of the post, despite being totally unmarked.
Both sides were finding gaps in the other’s defence and Wilson nearly exploited one as he headed Brooks’ cross narrowly wide.
Watford were looking increasingly shaky at the back on a greasy surface and when King got the wrong side of Kabasele from Simon Francis’ pass, the Watford defender brought him down for a penalty, receiving his second yellow card in the process.
Watford have received more red cards than any other side in the Premier League since their return in the 2015/16 season.
King converted low to Foster’s left and Bournemouth were in total control.
Things would still get worse for Gracia before half-time as he watched his defence implode.
Wilson outwitted the offside trap to race clear down the left and cross for King to nod in his second of an increasingly enjoyable afternoon.
Etienne Capoue was attempting to deputise for Kabasele at centre back, not a task he was enjoying.
Bournemouth’s fourth came after yet more calamity as Foster and Capoue both hesitated to clear Ryan Fraser’s cross and Wilson strolled past them both to score.
This was their first clean sheet in ten away league games, thanks in no small part to a flawless performance from Nathan Ake.
Gracia looked lost and disconsolate as he stood sodden in the dugout. This was just his third home defeat as Watford manager and by far his heaviest.
With the match slowing to training ground pace, the away fans were enjoying their afternoon in Herfordshire.
‘Easy, easy’ and ‘can we play you every week’ were the shouts in between the serenading of their exceptional young manager Howe.
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