Watford and Bournemouth played out an uneventful goalless draw in this afternoon's Premier League match at Vicarage Road.

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Watford started well and the only shot of the first half arrived inside two minutes when Hornets top scorer Odion Ighalo dribbled past two Bournemouth defenders before having his goalbound shot tipped over by Artur Boruc.

The Nigerian striker then went close for a second time in the eighth minute, meeting Juan Carlos Paredes's cross from the right and shooting just wide.

Bournemouth suffered a blow midway through the opening period when Junior Stanislas pulled up with an apparent hamstring injury, but his departure meant a first appearance in six months for Max Gradel after his recovery from a knee ligament problem.

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The Cherries started the second half brightly and went close twice in quick succession, with Joshua King volleying over after good wing play down the right by Matt Ritchie before Gradel exchanged passes with Andrew Surman and shot over.

Harry Arter then tested Heurelho Gomes for the first time with a fierce strike from range that the Watford keeper parried wide.

Down the other end Ighalo was guilty of missing two good chances, first heading over Nordin Amrabat's cross before blazing over the top after a clever quick free kick from Ben Watson.

It was a scrappy end to the game as four players were booked in 10 minutes before Gradel was denied by Gomes with the last chance of the match.

Watford drop a place to 10th, while Bournemouth stay 15th and move five points clear of the bottom three.