Odion Ighalo's second-half strike was enough to earn Watford a 1-0 victory at home to Swansea City in the Premier League this afternoon.
The hosts were left to battle for their victory after Valon Behrami was shown a straight red card just five minutes after Ighalo's goal.
However, Swansea never truly tested Heurelho Gomes and Watford held on to secure their first win of the season.
Match statistics
WATFORD
Shots: 18
On target: 7
Possession: 38%
Corners: 1
Fouls: 11
SWANSEA CITY
Shots: 8
On target: 3
Possession: 62%
Corners: 3
Fouls: 14
Was the result fair?
Watford may well have been winless before today's game, but the only team they have lost to in the league so far is Manchester City. That's nothing to be frowned at and today they showed just how hard they are to beat. They created the better chances in the opening half and fully deserved all three points, especially after holding on for more than 30 minutes with just 10 men.
Watford's performance
With an ever-changing squad of players, you could be forgiven for thinking that the Hornets would still be a team in transition, but today's performance was the total opposite. Quique Flores has got his side playing in a compact, organised manner and they look as though they have played together for years. Ighalo and Troy Deeney, in particular, showed some great understanding in the opening period, and combined well for the 59th-minute winner.
Swansea City's performance
For a side that held Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and beat Manchester United, Swansea's performance today was well below the level they've shown this season. The architects of their early-season promise - Jonjo Shelvey, Bafetimbi Gomis and Ayew - were subdued today. Garry Monk will understand that it sometimes just doesn't click up top though, so his main disappointment will come from the fact that they conceded such a sloppy goal. Three defenders were drawn towards Gomes's long punt downfield, leaving Ighalo in acres of space to tuck the ball home with the minimum of fuss.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Ikechi Anya: The Scotland international, who usually plays as a winger, was deployed at full-back today, replacing Jose Holebas. Not only did he keep the Premier League Player of the Month, Ayew, quiet, but he was also a real attacking threat all afternoon. Even in injury time, he led a couple of late counter-attacks.
Biggest gaffe
Behrami's challenge of Ayew was cowardice of the utmost form. He hurtled into the tackle, stamping aggressively on the winger's knee and then rolled around on the floor as if he had been hurt. Robert Madley did brilliantly to spot the horrendous challenge and show the Swiss midfielder a straight red card. Aside from that fact it was a terrible challenge, Behrami left his side to defend a 1-0 lead with ten men for more than 30 minutes once added time was taken into account. His side performed admirably to hold on, but Behrami owes them all a huge apology.
Referee performance
He got the big call right. What's more, instead of charging in and making a scene as some referees would do, he took his time and thought about the situation before showing Behrami the red card. Madley refused to be influenced by the vociferous home crowd throughout and made the right call in waving away late penalty claims for both sides.
What next?
WATFORD: Off the back of their first win of the season, Watford travel to face Newcastle United next Saturday.
SWANSEA CITY: Swansea return to the Liberty Stadium to face Everton, who won 3-1 at home to Chelsea earlier.
Kristian Johnson
