Watford vs Crystal Palace. Premier League.
Vicarage RoadAttendance20,012.
Match report and highlights as Crystal Palace win 4-1 at Vicarage Road to heighten Watford's relegation fears; Jean-Philippe Mateta and Conor Gallagher score either side of Moussa Sissoko's header, before Wilfried Zaha's second-half double secures Palace's first Premier League win of 2022
Thursday 24 February 2022 00:08, UK
Wilfried Zaha's second-half double helped to hand Roy Hodgson an unhappy reunion with his former side Crystal Palace, who eased to a 4-1 win over Watford at Vicarage Road.
Hodgson was facing the Eagles for the first time since ending his near-four-year stay at Selhurst Park last summer, but was handed no favours by his former charges as they left his Hornets side entrenched in the relegation zone, four points adrift of 17th-placed Newcastle.
The 4-1 scoreline was perhaps a little harsh on Watford - Hodgson said after the game it "flattered" Palace - but it puts a halt to any momentum gained by their first win under his management at Aston Villa on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the win was Palace's first in the Premier League in 2022 and sees them jump above Leicester and Villa to 11th, while they are now nine points clear of the drop zone.
Palace opened the scoring through Jean-Philippe Mateta (15), who was handed a stroke of good fortune when his left-footed shot on the turn struck the back of Kiko Femenia and flew past the wrong-footed Ben Foster.
But instead of getting mad, Watford got even, levelling the scores when Femenia's wicked inswinging corner was powered home by Moussa Sissoko (17). It was the Frenchman's maiden goal for the Hornets, and his first in the Premier League since playing for Tottenham against Burnley in December 2019.
Watford were unable to build on their leveller, though, and Palace began to assert their control over proceedings, with Mitchell raiding down the left wing and Michael Olise forcing Foster into a smart save with his legs.
Hodgson's side were unable to hold out until half time and fell behind after Mitchell - who was finding it far too easy to escape the attentions of Ismaila Sarr - picked out Conor Gallagher in the area.
The on-loan Chelsea midfielder - restored to the starting line-up after missing the defeat to his parent club on Saturday - controlled the cross brilliantly before planting a shot into the top corner (42).
The pattern of the game remained the same in the second period, with Palace looking comfortable and restricting Watford's threat to the occasional set piece.
Patrick Vieira's side then made sure of victory thanks to two late goals from Zaha. His first was a powerful shot inside Foster's near post after he was afforded too much time in Watford's area (85), while his second was a brilliant effort curled inside the far post after Palace broke from a Hornets corner (90).
Zaha had been booked on his previous five visits to Vicarage Road and had even had a run in with Harry the Hornet after Watford's mascot mocked him for diving in 2016, but this time the Palace forward ensured he had the last laugh.
The 29-year-old was kept relatively quiet in the first half, and regularly swapped positions with fellow winger Olise as the duo searched for space in the Watford half.
He was also the subject of jeers from Hornets fans on a few occasions, as well as some tough tackling from the likes of Femenia, but he kept his composure before striking twice late on to secure the points for Palace.
Zaha's second was particularly impressive and was similar in creation to his wonderful strike at Norwich earlier this month, with both goals seeing him cut in from the left before rifling a shot past a helpless goalkeeper and inside the far post.
The Ivory Coast international's goals came from his only two shots in the game, but his other statistics demonstrated how impressive his performance was.
No Palace player had more touches in the Watford box, while he also created three times as many chances as any of his team-mates.
Zaha's work off the ball was also crucial - he won nine duels during the game (the next highest by a Palace player was four) - while the 11 occasions on which he regained possession was also a team high.
"People will talk about the two goals he scored, but what I love was his work ethic," said Vieira after the game. "Out of possession I think it was his best game since I've been here.
"Today he had a really complete game - from the start to the end, he was really focused on his defensive duty and that allowed him to score his goals. Scoring goals is something he's been doing for years."
As well as enthusing over Wilfried Zaha's performance, Patrick Vieira praised his team for their display throughout the 90 minutes, and said it was about time his side got the points he feels their showings have deserved.
"I was really pleased with the team performance," said Vieira. "We played well from the first minute and we managed to control the game in the second half.
"I'm really pleased for the players because I think lately we've been creating chances but not scoring so many goals.
"We've been losing points where we should take points. I'm really pleased because they deserve those three points."
Roy Hodgson said he felt Crystal Palace's 4-1 victory over Watford "flattered" his former side, but accepted the Hornets had to defend better.
"It's only one step back," he said. "To take two steps back we'd have had to have played really badly.
"I thought the scoreline flattered Crystal Palace to a certain extent. They took their chances well and we didn't defend anywhere near well enough around our box. But it wasn't a game where chances were being piled up one after the other.
"Palace are good. We knew they would play well and we'd have to play well ourselves for a relatively even game. I think we did play a relatively even game with them, but they scored four and we only scored one. Therefore we're hopeless and they're brilliant."
Thousands of Watford supporters understandably headed for the exit after Zaha made it 3-1 late on, but Hodgson urged them not give up as his side battle relegation.
"We've got to keep going - it's the bottom line - and you hope your supporters are going to keep going," he said. "They're not stupid, they know the situation, but they came here hoping and dreaming - as we did ourselves - that tonight's going to be our night.
"We have to pick ourselves up from the defeat so it doesn't linger and affect future games. Unfortunately our next one's at Old Trafford, so that's going to be very tough, but there are games in the last 13 that we think are winnable games."
As Patrick Vieira said, Zaha's two goals will steal the headlines, but his work out of possession was equally important in Crystal Palace's impressive victory.
Watford travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on Saturday - kick-off 3pm - while Crystal Palace host Burnley, also at 3pm.
