Hornets Down Rams

Jamie Ward`s penalty was not enough for Derby County as they went down 2-1 against Watford at Vicarage Road as their hosts went second in the Championship table. Watford showed why they have been a good run of late with some neat football at the start of the firsthalf with Matej Vydra looking dangerous and The Hornets` leading scorer made the breakthrough ten minutes before the break when he curled home from the edge of the area. Chris Martin was introduced at the break to make his debut and looked lively but it was the home side who doubled their lead midway through the second half when Joel Ekstrand headed home from close range following a corner. Richard Keogh was bundled over in the area five minutes giving Ward the chance to convert from the spot but despite a strong finish The Rams could not find the equaliser.

Ben Davies got the nod at rightback with Kieron Freeman out injured in the only change to the side and there was also a place on the bench for loan signing Chris Martin in place of the departed Theo Robinson. Matej Vydra showed some good touches in the opening stages and he outmuscled Richard Keogh to get a clear run on goal, Adam Legzdins was out quickly to take the ball off his feet and Alex Geijo put the ball over the top as it rebounded from the challenge. Marco Cassetti forced Legzdins into another save at his near post as Watford`s pressure continued and Keogh made a superbly timed interception as Vydra was nearly released again.

Jamie Ward cut inside and fired an effort narrowly wide from twentyfive yards as The Rams began to fight back before Conor Sammon glanced a header wide from a Ben Davies cross and Michael Jacobs looked for a pass when well placed inside the area with the move coming to nothing. Watford came back and enjoyed a spell of their own when Joel Ekstrand volleyed over from close range and Ikechi Anya then sidefooted wide after Vydra broke clear and crossed to the far post. The pressure eventually with Vydra again involved as he drove forward and curled home a superb effort from the edge of the area with ten minutes to go until the break. Craig Bryson had the last effort of the half after being released by Paul Coutts but his low effort was held by Jonathan Bond.

Jake Buxton and Chris Martin were introduced at the break in place of Michael Hoganson and Michael Jacobs and the on loan Norwich striker looked lively as the half started before Ward`s low cross was too far in front of Sammon for the striker to get a touch. Despite enjoying a good spell of possession The Rams were not creating clear-cut chances and they found themselves two goals behind on sixtyseven minutes when Ekstrand headed home from an Almen Abdi corner to double the lead.

Derby were handed a lifeline five minutes later when Keogh was bundled over in the area and Ward fired home from the spot to put the visitors back in the game. Mason Bennett was introduced as The Rams went in search of an equaliser and Coutts` low cross was again just too far in front of Ward. The pressure continued as Nigel Clough`s side threw everything at their opponents but they couldn`t find the elusive breakthrough before the final whistle blew.

Watford: Almunia (Bond 45), Doyley, Vydra (Deeney 87 ), Abdi, Cassetti, Nosworthy, Geijo (Hogg 75), Battocchio, Chalobah, Ekstrand.

Subs Not Used: Yeates, Forsyth, Murray, Forestieri.

Derby County: Legzdins; Davies, Keogh, Brayford, Hoganson (Buxton 46); Coutts, Hendrick, Bryson, Jacobs (Martin 46); Ward, Sammon (Bennett 72).

Subs Not Used: Fielding, Gjokaj, Doyle, Hanson.

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