Watford have registered their first Premier League win of the season after a goal from Odion Ighalo earned the Hornets a 1-0 win against Swansea City.
© Getty Images
Both clubs struggled to create a clear-cut opportunity during the opening stages of the game, with a difficult chance for Sebastian Prodl, which was volleyed over, the only action inside the penalty area.
Shortly after the quarter-hour mark, Almen Abdi almost gave Watford the lead from 20 yards, but his deflected effort dropped agonisingly wide of the target.
© Getty Images
In-form Swansea forward Bafetimbi Gomis responded with a low shot that was saved by Heurelho Gomes, before up the other end, a strike from Troy Deeney was sent inches wide of the post.
Five minutes before the break, Swansea almost took the lead in bizarre circumstances when Andre Ayew provided Gomis with a chance in front of goal, but despite the Frenchman being grounded from an earlier collision, he was still able to force a save out of Gomes.
Like the first half, the two teams struggled to find their feet during the early stages of the second period, but moments after missing a decent opening, Ighalo gave the Hornets the lead when he ran onto a flick from Deeney before slotting the ball into the corner from 12 yards.
© Getty Images
However, Swansea were handed a lifeline five minutes later when Watford were reduced to 10 men after Valon Behrami stamped on Ayew's knee, while also claiming that he had been the victim of a late challenge from the Ghanaian.
It was Watford who should have scored a second, though, with Jose Manuel Jurado bursting forward before firing wide after initially seeing an effort blocked by Ashley Williams.
After seven minutes of added time were signalled by the fourth official, Swansea pushed men forward and they should have equalised when Jefferson Montero found Federico Fernandez, but the Argentine international could only head wide from six yards out as Watford held on for maximum points.
Darren Plant
