Stoke City 0 - Watford 2: Deeney and Abdi grab crucial away win in Hornets sting operation

Troy Deeney and Heurelho Gomes helped Watford to a massive three points

TROY DEENEY notched his first goal of the season as Watford ended Stoke’s winning run.

 

The Hornets skipper – who netted 21 times in their promotion campaign last term – struck in the 43rd minute from an audacious flick by Odion Ighalo, moments after each player had hit the crossbar just seconds apart.

Almen Abdi wrapped things up in the 69th minute following a mistake by Marc Wilson to spoil Mark Hughes’ 100th game in charge of Stoke, who had gone into the match looking for a fourth straight Premier League victory.

Almen Abdi's goal put the game to bed with 20 minutes left

The result sees Quique Sanchez Flores’ side leapfrog their hosts, moving up to 13th, a place above the Potters.

Stoke bossed possession for much of the first half but were unable to trouble the visitors.

Marko Arnautovic summed things up when he shouldered a decent opportunity over the bar.

Hughes looked to shake up his attack by bringing on Peter Crouch and Jonathan Walters.

Stoke City dominated the first half, but were unable to capitalise

But it was keeper Jack Butland who had to make a good save to stop sub Juan Carlos Paredes adding to Watford’s tally.

Sanchez Flores said: “Deeney. has been unlucky. Scoring is important for the confidence of strikers.”

Hughes admitted: “We didn’t deal with the two up front.”
 

Watford held out, and won to go 13th in the table