Troy Deeney and Almen Abdi scored in either half as Watford defeated Stoke City 2-0 in the Premier League this afternoon.
The hosts entered the match as favourites having won their last three matches, but went a goal down before half time as Deeney scored his first top flight goal for Watford.
Quique Flores' side had taken just one point from their previous three Premier League fixtures, but ended their bad run as Almen Abdi fired an effort beyond Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland to secure the three points.
Find out how all the action unfolded at the Britannia Stadium with Sports Mole's full text commentary below.
Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live text commentary of Stoke City vs. Watford from the Premier League. This afternoon's hosts are one of the form sides in the division, having won their last three fixtures, and Mark Hughes' side could extend that run today against a team who are without a victory in three matches.
The team sheets have just been announced, so let's take a look at how the two sides will line up this afternoon.
STOKE CITY XI: Butland; Johnson, Cameron, Wollscheid, Pieters; Whelan, Adam; Shaqiri, Bojan, Arnautovic; Joselu
STOKE CITY SUBSTITUTES: Given, Ireland, Wilson, Afellay, Van Ginkel, Walters, Crouch
WATFORD STARTING XI: Gomes; Nyom, Cathcart, Britos, Ake; Capoue, Watson; Abdi, Deeney, Anya; Ighalo
WATFORD SUBSTITUTES: Arlauskis, Prodl, Paredes, Behrami, Guedioura, Ibarbo, Diamanti
Stoke City are unchanged from the side that defeated Swansea City 1-0 on Monday evening, and it's testament to the quality of their squad that Mark Hughes is able to name two Dutch internationals - one formerly of Barcelona, the other a Chelsea loanee - on the subs bench today. Spanish striker Joselu is preferred to Peter Crouch up front.
The Hornets make one change from the side that lost to Arsenal last week, as former Napoli man Miguel Britos makes his first league start for the club in place of the experienced Sebastien Prodl. Ben Watson continues in midfield alongside Etienne Capoue, despite the availability of Swiss international Valon Behrami.
It is fair to say that Mark Hughes' side had taken a while to get going in the Premier League, but after winning three games on the bounce the Potters are beginning to gel. Undoubtedly, their upturn in form has been helped by the return of former Barcelona striker Bojan, who has scored twice in five appearances so far this season.
Stoke manager Mark Hughes will take charge of his 100th game at the helm of the club this afternoon, and Watford could prove to be good opponents for the Welshman. The side have scored just one goal in their last three matches - in a 1-1 draw with Bournemouth, and head coach Quique Flores spoke of his side's need to improve in the Premier League this week.
"You have to prove you are able to stay in the division and show you are able to play well and fulfil high expectations," the Spaniard told Sky Sports News.
Earlier this week, the Sports Mole team took to the sofa to discuss this afternoon's clash at the Britannia Stadium. Find out what we had to say here:
As for Hughes, the Potters manager is focusing purely on today's match with Watford, and is refusing to be drawn in by the 100-match milestone.
"You always hope to win, but I'm not too bothered about that kind of landmark. I think it's more about focusing on what the team is doing, and we are pleased with that," Hughes told Sky Sports News.
Today's clash will be the 31st meeting between Stoke City and Watford, with the hosts coming out on top on 11 occasions, and the visitors on 13. The last meeting took place on March 15 2008 - a 0-0 draw at Vicarage Road.
Stoke City have not managed a victory over the Hornets since December 2004 - a 1-0 away win. The hosts are the favourites this afternoon.
One man who has scored plenty of goals for Watford is Troy Deeney. The club captain has found the net on 77 occasions in the league, but is still waiting for his first goal in the top flight. Most of Watford's goal-scoring exploits have come from Odion Ighalo, and the Nigerian striker has been in fine form this season, netting five times so far this season.
PREDICTION! With less than 10 minutes to go until kickoff, it's time for a prediction. I'll go Stoke City 2-0 Watford. The hosts are in good form of late, and Watford have struggled to really get going so far this season. The Britannia Stadium is not the place to go searching for an upturn in fortunes, so I'm going with the hosts today.
The players are emerging from the tunnel at the Britannia Stadium, and kickoff is just moments away.
KICKOFF! Stoke City get proceedings underway!
The hosts are happy to just knock the ball around in the game's opening moments, and the midfield works the ball into the Watford half before Nathan Ake forces the ball back. Watford unable to get a hold of the ball in the first few moments.
SHOT! Troy Deeney out-muscles Geoff Cameron in the Stoke box, but the big striker is unable to get a clean strike away under pressure from Glen Johnson, who did well to cover.
Better from Watford, as Scottish winger Ikechi Anya puts a tempting ball into the box from the right, before Almen Abdi looks to chip the return into the box, but his pass went beyond all Watford bodies. A good start to the game at the Britannia this afternoon.
SHOT! Stoke lead a swift counter attack, as Marko Arnautovic and Xherdan Shaqiri combine, before the former tees up Charlie Adam for an effort from distance, but the Scot drags his shot wide. Watford have made a decent start to the match, but the Potters have just shown a glimpse of what they are capable of.
SHOT! Ben Watson attempts a side-footed effort, but his shot is blocked, before Ikechi Anya is unable to reach the follow up.
SUBSTITUTION! Geoff Cameron has been forced off after picking up a knock, and the American is replaced by Marc Wilson in defence.
Stoke look after possession for a long period, before Adam finds Johnson on the right, but the former Liverpool man's cross is blocked. It's been an entertaining opening to proceedings in Staffordshire this afternoon, but the hosts are starting to look more dominant.
CHANCE! Bojan whips in a delicious ball towards Joselu from the left, and the big striker almost makes a connection, but Craig Cathcart cuts out the danger and gives Stoke a corner. Charlie Adam's set piece is woeful though.
SHOT! Stoke continue to knock the ball around, advancing towards the Watford goal, before Adam tries his luck from similar distance to his last effort. This time his shot is deflected for a corner, but nothing comes from the short set play. All Stoke at the moment.
Watford try to put pressure on the hosts, but Etienne Capoue runs into trouble. The visitors return, as Ikechi Anya tries a hopeful effort on goal, but it ricochets off the Potters man one yard in front.
Brilliant work from Xherdan Shaqiri! The Swiss winger shakes off Nathan Ake on the right and fizzes a low cross into the box, but Ben Watson cuts out the danger for Watford.
Stoke win a corner off Allan Nyom, but are unable to work an opening from the set piece. Mark Hughes' side are on top with a quarter of the game gone, but Watford have shown glimpses that they could hurt Stoke on the break. Quique Flores' side just need to improve their final product.
Almen Abdi scythes down Charlie Adam in the Watford half, but no card is shown by Martin Atkinson. Stoke have taken the sting out of the game in the last few moments with their control of possession, but they have a free kick in a good position here.
SHOT! Charlie Adam hits the effort from 30 yards, but it deflects off for a corner. The set piece is taken quickly, before Bojan spots Gomes off his line from distance. The striker's effort flies over the bar though. Remember when Stoke used to be called a rugby team? I think the former Barca man believed it for a moment.
CHANCE! Xherdan Shaqiri whips a terrific ball into the box towards Joselu and Marko Arnautovic, and the Austrian rises highest to meet the cross, but his header goes over the bar. Best chance of the match so far for either side that one.
Stoke fans are furious at the moment, as Martin Atkinson awards a couple of soft free kicks for Watford. Xherdan Shaqiri is deemed to have fouled Nathan Ake on the second one, but the Swiss winger barely seemed to touch the youngster.
Stoke win a free kick of their own to the right of the penalty area, which Shaqiri takes, but Heurelho Gomes does well to clear the danger with a strong punch.
CHANCES! Unbelievably bad luck for Watford! Anya leads a break, and whips in a great cross towards Ighalo, but the Nigerian rattles the crossbar with a header. From the rebound, Abdi finds Deeney inside the area with space and time, but his effort also struck the crossbar. Two really great chances for Watford to open the scoring there, and poor Troy Deeney seems to have no luck at the moment as he looks to break his Premier League goalscoring duck.
Joselu feeds Bojan in the area, but the former Barcelona man is offside.
Stoke City win a corner, which Shaqiri takes, and the set piece almost catches Gomes out. Charlie Adam then tries his luck from distance again, but this effort lands in row Z.
GOAL! Stoke City 0-1 Watford (Troy Deeney)
At last, Troy Deeney has a Premier League goal! Almen Abdi plays in Odion Ighalo on the left, and the Nigerian plays a neat lay-off towards his strike partner. Deeney takes an extra touch to the right, before firing past Jack Butland to open the scoring.
Stoke try to peg Watford back immediately, as Shaqiri forces a good save from Gomes on the right after moving past Nathan Ake. The hosts still look the more dangerous of the sides, but Watford have done well to close their opponents down and take the lead.
HALF TIME! Stoke City 0-1 Watford
Half time at the Britannia Stadium, and Watford lead 1-0 thanks to Troy Deeney's first Premier League goal. The visitors have had to stay focused and disciplined for much of the first half as the Potters dominated possession, but to their credit Watford have pressed well, and always looked lively on the break. The match is set up well for the second half.
The hosts have had an impressive 71% of possession, but have only created one more opportunity than their opponents (7-6). Both sides have hit the target on one occasion, but Watford's effort happened to be a goal.
Elsewhere in the Premier League this afternoon, the only other goal has been scored at Upton Park, where Mauro Zarate has given West Ham United the lead over Chelsea. The rest of the top flight's matches are currently goalless.
Read how the first half played out at the Britannia Stadium with Sports Mole's half time report here.
The players have reemerged onto the pitch, and the restart is just moments away.
RESTART! Watford, leading thanks to Troy Deeney's first top flight goal, get proceedings underway.
Odion Ighalo is down receiving treatment after slipping under the challenge of Charlie Adam, before the Scottish midfielder accidentally catches the head of the striker when trying to control the ball. Adam is apologetic, and the striker should be okay to continue.
SHOT! Xherdan Shaqiri creates some space in the Watford half, but his effort goes some way over the bar.
Defensive mix-up for Stoke, as Ighalo puts Wilson under pressure from a high ball and comes out on top. The Nigerian finds Deeney, who looks to pull the trigger but is forced wide. Watford keep up the pressure, and Odion Ighalo goes down in the box, but Atkinson refuses to give a penalty. It looked like a bit of a dive.
Good start to the second half for Watford, who are playing with more energy and intensity than their opponents at the moment.
Stoke City with a good period in the match, but the Potters are unable to find a killer ball. Bojan is then set free in the box, but the Spaniard is offside. For all Stoke's possession, Mark Hughes' side are struggling to produce anything clinical in this second half.
CHANCE! Ikechi Anya wins a corner for Watford, and Ben Watson's delivery finds Odion Ighalo unmarked, but the Nigerian's sweet volley is blocked and Stoke can clear.
Watford win a corner as Ighalo finds the advancing Anya in the box, but Pieters intercepts in the nick of time for the hosts.
SUBSTITUTIONS! Jonathan Walters and Peter Crouch come on for Xherdan Shaqiri and Joselu. Stoke have switched to the old guard now, can they use their old-style grit and strength to find a way back in the game?
Those changes have just taken the flow out of the game, as Stoke adjust to a new style. Watford are continuing to press the Potters well though.
SUBSTITUTION! First change for Watford, as Juan Carlos Paredes replaces Ikechi Anya.
Much better from Stoke, as Charlie Adam threads a ball towards Jonathan Walters, whose cross ricochets off Nathan Ake for a corner. The set piece tests Heurelho Gomes, and the Brazilian has done well to clear the ball.
GOAL! Stoke City 0-2 Watford (Almen Abdi)
What a finish from Almen Abdi! Marc Wilson is outmuscled by Odion Ighalo, and the Nigerian sets up the advancing Abdi from the left, who strides towards goal before firing a powerful effort beyond Jack Butland. Watford seem to be heading towards victory at the Britannia this afternoon.
SHOT! Watford almost score a third, as Paredes pumps the ball into the box, before Capoue finds Abdi. The Swiss midfielder strikes over the bar, before Watford come forward again after the goal kick, and Paredes forces a good save from Butland. Watford are turning on the style!
CHANCE! Jonathan Walters plays a one-two with Peter Crouch, before hitting a tame effort across the face of goal from the left side of the penalty area. Stoke City need a moment of inspiration now, and they are struggling to produce anything of real quality.
Etienne Capoue loses the ball in the Stoke half, and Bojan tries to find a Potters shirt in the box, but his pass finds Gomes.
YELLOW CARD! Glenn Whelan picks up a booking for a foul on Capoue.
SUBSTITUTION! Second change for Watford, as goalscorer Almen Abdi is replaced by Valon Behrami.
Walters wins a corner off Nyom, but Gomes punches Adam's delivery clear. Stoke are running out of ideas this afternoon, and Watford are looking comfortable in the lead.
SHOT! Glenn Whelan tees up Charlie Adam for yet another long-range strike, and again the Scottish midfielder blazes his effort over the bar. Stoke's players must be furious with their teammate now, he's struggled to hit the target for much of the afternoon.
SHOT! Watford take the ball forwards quickly - as they have done all afternoon - and Troy Deeney finds Etienne Capoue, who strikes over the bar.
Stoke fans are pouring out of the ground at the moment, and you can understand their frustration. There may still be time in this match, but the Potters have rarely troubled Heurelho Gomes all afternoon. Arnautovic tries to flick a loose ball in the box towards goal, but the effort sails wide.
Glenn Whelan plays a good ball out towards Glen Johnson on the wing, who wins a corner, but Charlie Adam's set piece was terrible - going beyond everyone and sailing out for a goal kick.
SUBSTITUTION! Final change for Watford, as the impressive Odion Ighalo is replaced by Adlene Guediourra.
YELLOW CARDS! The departing Ighalo exchanges words with Erik Pieters as the Dutchman believes the striker is taking too long to leave the pitch. Both receive a booking. Moments later, Charlie Adam picks up a yellow card for a clumsy challenge from behind on Etienne Capoue.
Four minutes of added time to be played at the Britannia Stadium.
Watford given a free kick in the Stoke City half which Etienne Capoue takes, but the French midfielder's effort is tame, and sails well and truly wide of the goal.
FULL TIME! Stoke City 0-2 Watford
Full time at the Britannia Stadium, and it's a fully deserved victory for Watford. Stoke City struggled to create any clear opportunities in the second half, while their opponents were disciplined in defence and clinical up front. An impressive three points for Quique Flores' side, who end their own winless run and terminate Stoke's good form in the process.
Troy Deeney scored his first Premier League goal in the first half to give Watford the lead.
© Getty Images
Almen Abdi hit a venomous effort beyond Jack Butland to double the Hornets' lead in the second half.
© Getty Images
That wraps up Sports Mole's live text commentary of Stoke City vs. Watford from the Premier League, thanks for your company this afternoon! Stay tuned for reaction to this match and all the latest from the weekend's football.
Written by
Stephen Topping
Stephen Topping
