GOALS from Jermain Jenas, Hossam Ghaly and the more unlikely source of Paul Robinson saw the Hornets beaten at White Hart Lane this afternoon (Saturday).
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Tamas Priskin and Ricardo Rocha |
The two Premiership sides came together for the second time this season, after sharing a goalless draw at Vicarage Road earlier this term.
But Watford were unable to repeat their defensive display of October on this occasion as constant Cockerels' pressure told on a hard-working, pressurised back line.
Darius Henderson's last-gasp goal gave a vocal away following at least something to cheer, but it was ultimately too little, too late for Tottenham's near neighbours.
Boss Boothroyd made three changes to the side that secured the Hornets a semi-final date in the FA Cup, following victory at Plymouth last weekend.
American centre-back Jay DeMerit was forced out of the side through injury, whilst Steve Kabba and Damien Francis were both dropped from the first XI.
That saw recalls for Gareth Williams, Lloyd Doyley and James Chambers, who started his first game since a horrendous ankle injury suffered at Newcastle in December.
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Bouazza and Michael Dawson |
Meanwhile, following their UEFA Cup commitments in midweek Tottenham manager Martin Jol made seven changes to his side, which also took into account their impending cup replay with Chelsea on Monday.
In bright sunshine the opening exchanges were even, but the first noteworthy moment came when a clash of heads between Tommy Smith and Spurs' Ricardo Rocha forced the Portugal international down the tunnel for stitches.
It wasn't for five minutes that the former Braga and Benfica defender returned to the field, sporting a shirt with no name and the number 50.
Chances remained at a premium as the game grew into being, Mido ballooning one such effort over the bar after sterling work from Steed Malbranque down their left.
With 20 minutes gone the next chance also fell to the home side, Jenas half-volleying wide after Doyley's acrobatic clearance.
Three minutes later Jenas turned provider, unlocking the Watford defence with a low pass to Jermaine Defoe, who forced a diving save from Foster to his left.
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Priskin goes up to challenge Robinson |
Tamas Priskin saw a half-chance from 25-yards go for a corner soon after, but on the whole the visitors were struggling to retain possession in their final third.
As the interval drew ever nearer there were muted claims from the home camp for handball against Chris Powell, after Jenas had jinked his way into the area. Referee Mark Halsey had little hesitation in waving any appeals away however.
But with just five minutes remaining Spurs did get their lead, through legitimate means.
Exploiting space on the Watford left Pascal Chimbonda collected a throw-in near the half-way line and lofted a pinpoint cross to the far post for the waiting Jenas.
Rising above all else he majestically nodded low into the bottom right-hand corner of Ben Foster's goal for one-nil at half-time, which should have been doubled to two had Defoe and Mido taken their late opportunities.
The second half opened with Boothroyd taking position in his technical area, after he had watched the first period of play from the lofty perch that is the White Hart Lane Directors' Box.
And after just 10 minutes of the restart the Watford gaffer had seen enough to force him into his first change, a straight swap between centre-forwards Henderson and Priskin.
The shot-shy Hornets were then further bolstered by the introduction of Brazilian debutant Douglas Rinaldi.
But despite the manoeuvres of Boothroyd a dramatic freak goal was to undo his efforts, as Paul Robinson spectacularly won the battle of the England goalkeepers.
With 17 minutes gone an innocuous free-kick, awarded after the Spurs' defence caught Watford offside, was struck long by Robinson.
His opposite number Foster could only watch helplessly as the bounce found him out of position and unable to stop the ball from landing square in the Hornets' net. It was dreadful luck for the impeccable Manchester United loanee.
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Hameur Bouazza and Tom Huddlestone |
But he soon reaffirmed his reputation as the upcoming star of English football as he produced a brilliant save to turn over Tom Huddlestone's stinging 30-yard drive.
At the other end substitute Henderson almost connected with Tommy Smith's low left-wing cross as Watford looked for a route back into the tie.
Foster was back in the thick of the action after 73 minutes as he could only block Huddlestone's next effort, before spectacularly saving with his feet when it was easier for Mido to miss from just three yards out.
Boothroyd made his final change with less than 15 minutes to go as Kabba was introduced for the more defensively minded Chambers.
But Spurs completed their work with five minutes remaining as Egyptian Ghaly combined with countryman Mido and Paul Stalteri, before deflecting a shot off the unfortunate Mariappa and beyond Foster.
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Douglas Rinaldi and Tom Huddlestone |
Watford got a consolation in the dying seconds as Henderson scored his third goal of the season, adding to earlier strikes against Wigan and West Ham.
Mariappa started the move with a 20-yard ball inside the full-back to Smith who, having beaten Chimbonda, pulled his cross back to the unmarked Henderson to touch home from close range.
It was a nice way to finish a torrid afternoon, but that will provide little consolation for the disappointed Watford team and fans.
WATFORD (4-4-2): Foster; Mariappa, Doyley, Shittu, Powell; Chambers (Kabba 76), Williams (Rinaldi 61), Mahon (c), Smith; Priskin (Henderson 56), Bouazza. Subs not used: Lee (gk), Williamson.
BOOKINGS: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR; none. WATFORD; none.
GOALS: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR; Jenas (41), Robinson (62), Ghaly (85). WATFORD; Henderson (89).
REFEREE: Mark Halsey
ATTENDANCE: 36,051
