Burnley 1-0 Watford

By Andy Lewers, Tales from the Vicarage Reporter.

Watford failed to score two goals away from home for the first time this season, as Burnley claimed all three points against ten-man Watford, on a snowy day in Lancashire.

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Watford started brightly and were able to create the first chance of the game. A wicked ball across the box from Carrillo was met at the near post by the outstretched foot of Richarlison, but the winger couldn't direct his effort on target.

Burnley came close to opening the scoring from a free kick on 18 minutes. Gudmundsson was able to get his effort up and over the wall. The ball was heading straight for the bottom corner, but Heurelho 'the octopus' Gomes was at his very best to get his fingertips to it and direct it past the post.

It was an even game between two sides overachieving in the league this season. Doucoure came close for the Hornets on 23 minutes, but Pope was equal to his effort.

The game turned on its head however on 39 minutes. As Burnley looked to break forward, Zeegelaar jumped in to tackle Defour. Despite getting the ball off the Burnley man, referee Lee Probert thought the Watford man's challenge was reckless and gave him a straight red card.

With half time approaching it was important for Watford to hold on until the break. With Burnley having the momentum however this wasn't possible. Arfield picked the ball up in the area and took it past Janmaat, before placing his shot neatly past Gomes and into the net to give the hosts the lead heading into the break.

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The ten men of Watford had it all to do and started positively pushing the hosts back giving Doucoure and Cleverley the chance to shoot from range, but neither of their efforts found the target.

Burnley had the ball in the net on the hour mark after Wood poked in from close-range, but thankfully for Watford the linesman had his flag raised for offside.

Ten minutes later it was like deja vu. Wood was through on goal and slotted past Gomes. This time the linesman raised his flag well after the ball had hit the net. The referee went over to speak to the linesman and they decided offside was the correct decision.

With ten minutes to go Andre Gray came on off the bench to see if he could pinch an equaliser against his former club.

Gomes was on hand again in the final ten minutes to keep Watford in with a chance, as he got down low to save a shot from Gudmundsson. 

Unfortunately it wasn't enough and despite sufficient pressure in the closing minutes from Watford they were unable to salvage anything. 

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A disappointing result in the Lancashire snow, but what was pleasing is that Watford made a fist of it in the second half despite playing with ten men.

It was crucial that after the red card we made it to half time on level terms. After the goal Burnley simply had to do what Burnley do best. Sit back, defend and grind out the result. For all of watford's pressure in the second half, I can't remember a shot on target.

A frustrating afternoon, but we shouldn't feel too disheartened.

We go again on Tuesday.

You 'Orns.