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Saturday, September 22, 2018

epl 2018 matchday # 6: Fulham 0-1 Watford, LIVE score: Andre Gray hands Hornets the perfect start at Craven Cottage



  • Andre Gray scores the opener for Watford after just 90 seconds at Fulham 
  • Fulham: Bettinelli, Fosu-Mensah, Chambers, Mawson, Ryan Sessegnon, Seri, McDonald, Johansen, Vietto, Mitrovic, Schurrle 
  • Substitutes: Odoi, Ayite, Le Marchand, Christie, Sergio Rico, Zambo, Kamara 
  • Watford: Foster, Janmaat, Cathcart, Kabasele, Holebas, Doucoure, Capoue, Hughes, Pereyra, Deeney, Gray 
  • Substitutes: Gomes, Mariappa, Success, Masina, Sema, Chalobah, Femenia 



Saturday's Premier League action gets underway with Fulham taking on Watford at Craven Cottage. 
The Hornets lost their 100 per cent start to the season when beaten at home by Manchester United last weekend and will be eager to bounce back against a Fulham side who start the match in 15th place.
Join ADAM SHERGOLD for live coverage of this 12.30pm kick-off.  

13:17
HALF-TIME: Fulham 0 Watford 1
13:16
45min - Pereyra curls shot wide
Straight down the other end and a long clearance is knocked on by Troy Deeney into Roberto Pereyra. He steps inside Timothy Fosu-Mensah and then curls a shot just wide of the far post. Again, alarming signs at the back for Fulham.
We're into one minute of stoppage time.
13:15
45min - Fulham set-piece chances
Craig Cathcart bundles over Luciano Vietto and Fulham now have a set-piece chance. It really would be comprehensively against the run of the first-half play if they can equalise.
It's a good ball by Jean Michel Seri and Watford have to clear for a corner. That's delivered straight into the hands of Ben Foster.
13:13
43min - Watford free-kick wasted
Calum Chambers the latest home defender to struggle against Troy Deeney and Watford have another chance to swing in a free-kick with just a few minutes until half-time.
Jose Holebas this time puts it into the gloves of Marcus Bettinelli and he'll be grateful for that.
13:06
35min - Penalty appeal
Another big call as Will Hughes is brought down by Alfie Mawson in the box after some neat hold-up play on the edge of the box to prompt the move. Martin Atkinson glances at his assistant but decides not to award a penalty.
13:03
33min - Fosu-Mensah lucky to get just a yellow
Another wild challenge and another man in the book for Fulham. Timothy Fosu-Mensah loses the ball and then goes in hard into Troy Deeney's shin. To be honest, that could well be a red card but it's just a yellow.
It was a straight leg tackle, over the top of the ball and it appears that Martin Atkinson had his view obscured, so that has spared Fulham going down to 10 men.
13:00
30min - Mawson booked
Troy Deeney really not happy with Alfie Mawson's tackle on Roberto Pereyra and there's a little bit of shoulder barging between the pair. Mawson goes into the book for what was a reckless challenge.
12:54
24min - Fulham pressure
Brighter from Fulham as we approach the mid-way point of the half. Andre Schurrle with space to cross from the left, aimed at Stefan Johansen and Watford have to clear in a hurry.
Aleksandar Mitrovic and Christian Kabasele grappling in the box as we await the corner and the referee gives the Fulham man a ticking off.
The corner comes to nothing in the end.
12:48
17min - Deeney almost in
Another excellent chance for Watford and another horrendous lapse at the back. It was a terrible backwards header by Alfie Mawson intended for Bettinelli but straight to Andre Gray. Luckily for Fulham, the keeper makes himself big to block Gray's shot on the swivel.
Fulham living very dangerously and the contest could well be over already.
12:45
14min - Kabasele should make it two
So close to a second Watford goal! A much better Jose Holebas corner delivery this time and it's met by Christian Kabasele, right in front of goal, but his header strikes Ryan Sessegnon on the back and the hosts survive.
Have no idea how that didn't hit the net to be honest.
12:43
13min - Vietto denied by Foster
More Watford pressure and it requires a nicely-timed timed tackle by Jean Michel Seri to rob Troy Deeney on the edge of the Fulham box.
However, Fulham counter with speed and Luciano Vietto just has the edge on Daryl Janmaat, getting in behind and Ben Foster comes out, making himself large, and blocks.
From the follow up, Vietto tries to lob the ball into a loosely guarded net but it drops wide.
Better from the hosts.
12:38
7min - Watford's strength causing issues
Fulham really struggling to get to grips with the physicality of Watford. Troy Deeney gets up highest to win a flick-on header but it doesn't quite find Gray ahead of him.
Watford have a free-kick from which Jose Holebas can deliver into a dangerous position and Fulham concede a corner.
But Watford's delivery on the set-piece is poor and Fulham clear the danger.
12:32
GOAL! Fulham 0 Watford 1 - Andre Gray 2mins
Well this game didn't take long to explode into life! Just 90 seconds on the clock and the weakest defence in the Premier League this season is breached once again.
Watford worked the ball to the edge of the box, where the persistence of Will Hughes causes panic in the Fulham ranks. Hughes then had the presence of mind to play a ball through into Gray and he slid the ball past Marcus Bettinelli into the bottom corner.
Fulham fell behind early on at Manchester City seven days ago and they are behind even earlier today.
12:30
KICK-OFF: Fulham get us underway
We're off and running on the banks of the Thames.
12:26
The teams are in the tunnel
Just a few minutes remaining until the day's Premier League action gets underway. The players of both Fulham and Watford gathering in the Craven Cottage tunnel.
A large following from Watford for what is one of their more local fixtures of the season.
While Fulham are in their traditional home colours of white and black, Watford are in their all-green change kit this afternoon.
The rain falling in west London so we'll have a slick surface - who can take advantage of that?
12:22
A reminder of the two teams
Fulham: Bettinelli, Fosu-Mensah, Chambers, Mawson, Ryan Sessegnon, Seri, McDonald, Johansen, Vietto, Mitrovic, Schurrle
Substitutes: Odoi, Ayite, Le Marchand, Christie, Sergio Rico, Zambo, Kamara
Watford: Foster, Janmaat, Cathcart, Kabasele, Holebas, Doucoure, Capoue, Hughes, Pereyra, Deeney, Gray
Substitutes: Gomes, Mariappa, Success, Masina, Sema, Chalobah, Femenia
Referee: Martin Atkinson (West Yorkshire)
12:18
Jokanovic: 'We must follow our style'
Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic - formerly of Watford of course - has just been speaking to Sky Sports.
On adapting to life in the Premier League...
We are a new team, we bring many new players and we have changed many players in the first five games. We are still looking for our best option.
On sticking to Fulham's style...
It is true, we must follow our style. It is normal, we must respect the competition and know what is in front of us. But we believe our style is the best way to win the games.
On Watford's success in the early weeks of the season...
They are a settled Premier League team, the third year for them. They didn't make the kind of changes I made at the beginning of the season. They are a really dangerous team for us.
On memories of managing Watford...
I am enjoying where I am right now and my memories from Watford is positive. I received a lot of respect from the supporters and the team but it was many years ago.
Ryan Sessegnon and his Fulham team-mates warm up ahead of kick-off
Stefan Johansen of Fulham is put through his paces
12:09
Troy Deeney has spoken up over his latest rejection for an England call-up after getting off to a flying start with Watford this season. The Hornets currently sit fourth in the Premier League with four wins in their opening five games.
The Watford captain has played a major role in that form, leading from the front while scoring twice and finding an assist.
His momentum has lead to some claims for his first England call-up, especially as England are short on attacking options following Jamie Vardy's international retirement.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE
11:58
Big match Opta stats - Part Two
This will be Fulham’s 500th match in the Premier League; the 15th team to reach the milestone in the competition. Fulham are looking to win consecutive home Premier League games for the first time since April 2013.
No side has scored more second half goals than Watford in the Premier League this season (8, level with Chelsea), while only West Ham (7) have conceded more than Fulham after the interval (6).
Watford’s José Holebas already has four Premier League assists this season, matching his final tally from both the 2016-17 and 2017-18 campaigns. Only once has a Watford player provided more assists in a single campaign (Troy Deeney, 7 in 2015-16).
Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic took charge of 36 matches in all competitions when manager of Watford between October 2014 and May 2015 but the Serbian has yet to face the Hornets.
Watford captain Troy Deeney has netted four goals in his two league appearances against Fulham, including a hat-trick at Craven Cottage in December 2014.

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