Watford were defeated for the first time in the Championship this season away at top of the league Reading, after a first-half goal from George Puscas was enough for the Royals to take all three points.
Despite Watford dominating the majority of the first half, with James Garner in particular going closest with a stunning free kick that hit the bar, they couldn’t find a way back into the game.
Vladimir Ivic made two changes to the side that beat Luton last weekend, with Ken Sema and Tom Cleverley moving to the bench after picking up minor injuries recently.
They were replaced with Kiko Femenia and Tom Dele-Bashiru.
Watford almost went ahead inside a matter of seconds after good work between Joao Pedro and Ismaila Sarr allowed Dele-Bashiru to get on the end of a cross, but his header was well blocked.
Sarr had a chance himself on the 10th minute when he drove into the box, but his effort could only hit the side-netting.
Garner’s free kick on the 23rd minute looked destined to give the Hornets the lead they deserved, but it cannoned off the crossbar agonisingly.
All of Watford’s hard work was meant for nothing as George Puscas fired in the opener just before the half time whistle.
Reading improved further in the second half, and looked the more likely to get the second goal after Sone Aluko delivered in a brilliant free kick into the penalty area which needed someone to get on the end of it, but Ben Foster was first to the ball before Puski could tap home.
Puscas almost got his second of the game in the dying moments after the ball was cut back to him, but his effort went just wide.
Reading held on for all three points, and Watford will have to bounce back from a game that they probably deserved at least a point from.
The Hornets now have just under two weeks until they are back in action, and it’s another away trip, this time against Derby County.
Picture credit: @ReadingFC
0 Comments