Rotherham 1-4 Watford: Hornets tighten grip on second after comfortable win

Rampant Watford rattled off an eighth win from their last nine matches following a 4-1 romp at Rotherham.

Chile international Francisco Sierralta opened the scoring with his first goal in English football and further efforts from Ismaila Sarr and Ken Sema put Xisco Munoz's men firmly in the ascendancy at the break.

After Michael Smith had a penalty saved for the Millers, Freddie Ladapo pulled a goal back in spectacular fashion but Dan Gosling swiftly responded to extinguish any hopes of a comeback.

Rotherham had earlier started with purpose as captain Richard Wood hooked an edge-of-the-box attempt wide of the visitors' goal.

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But it was the Hornets who forged ahead following their first forward raid of the game.

Sarr's deflected blast across the face of the home goal led to successive corners and Philip Zinckernagel's left-wing delivery was headed over stranded 'keeper Jamal Blackman by Sierralta on nine minutes.

At the other end, Smith was less clinical when he missed the target after rising high to meet Dan Barlaser's free-kick and Watford went on to double their lead on 26 minutes.

Another curling Zinckernagel cross from the left was only palmed out as far as Sarr by Blackman and the Senegalese attacker found the roof of the net from eight yards with an emphatic finish.

After Ladapo's ambitious 30-yard strike bounced wide for Rotherham, Blackman was then at full stretch to keep out a Nathaniel Chalobah effort from just outside the penalty area.

But the respite was short-lived as Sema drilled a low shot inside Blackman's left-hand post after being picked out on the edge of the box by Zinckernagel's corner.

Matt Olosunde's side-footed 15-yard shot called Watford 'keeper Daniel Bachmann into his first save of the night on 42 minutes, but Blackman still had to be quick out of his goal to deny Sarr when clean through before the break.

Less than three minutes into the restart, Wood made an excellent block to direct Joao Pedro's strike away from goal.

But Rotherham wasted an opportunity to reduce the deficit just past the hour after William Troost-Ekong was adjudged to have clipped Smith as he chased a long ball through the right channel and, after lengthy deliberation, referee Jeremy Simpson pointed to the spot.

Smith took the penalty, only for Bachmann to make a brilliant save low to his right.

The Austrian 'keeper was powerless on 68 minutes when Ladapo's 20-yard stunner swerved into his top-left corner but, within seconds, Watford netted for a fourth time as substitute Gosling found an inviting net after Blackman had parried a shot from fellow replacement Andre Gray.

The result meant Rotherham have now lost four consecutive home games, as well as their last five contests against Watford.

What the managers said...

Rotherham assistant manager Richie Barker: "It has been a difficult time for everybody and, for me personally, the last 10 days have not been very nice. It was not an ideal scenario to come back after one day's training and play against an ex-Premier League team who I am sure will be there or thereabouts in terms of promotion.

"From the viewpoint of player welfare, I would say it's not really the right decision and there were a good few players out there who have not been in a good shape over the last week, but we are also running out of time to fit games in and we needed to get this one over and done with."

Watford's Xisco Munoz: "We are building something and, while I was happy with this game and it was an amazing performance, we can still perform better. We had situations in the game where we weren't in control and you have to deal with different styles of play in the Championship.

"We also scored four goals, but could have had more and we've got to continue with our hard work through the week in training, because we are very ambitious. Our team now understands what we want and that this is our moment. Every day, we are improving in different situations. We are playing with good tempo now away from home and the players are giving 100 per cent. I also have big respect for Rotherham because they have been in a difficult situation with Covid and I wish them all the best for the future."

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