THE Hornets came to West Bromwich Albion in search of their fourth away win of the season, but they left The Hawthorns empty handed, as the Baggies confirmed their promotion credentials to win the match 5-0.

The goals were dotted throughout the game as the Golden Boys had little reply to the free-flowing football on show from the hosts.

Malky Mackay's men came to The Hawthorns after an impressive previous week saw them pick up seven points out of a possible nine.

His squad had some time to recover after three games in six days but still the clash came too early for Ross Jenkins, who missed out with a back injury.

Jenkins' place was taken by John Eustace, the former Stoke captain had replaced the youngster in the last game out against Sheffield Wednesday and was the creator of the first goal that evening.

'Keeper Richard Lee again didn't make the Hornets' matchday squad, due to his knee injury.

That meant that Academy stopper Jonathan Bond took his place on the substitutes' bench.

Fans' favourite Heidar Helguson returned to action by taking a place on the bench.

The Baggies were hoping to bounce back after losing to Swansea City in their previous home fixture.

Cleverley and Dorrans fight for possession

On a sunny October afternoon the Championship clash started with the 'Orns kicking away from the Watford supporters, who were in good voice and spirits behind Scott Loach's goal.

On five minutes the Baggies got in front after Lee Hodson gave a foul away down Watford's right hand flank.

The Academy defender was booked for his troubles but there was worse to come for the Golden Boys.

A free kick was slung in to the back post and Jonas Olsson was allowed free license to rise at the far post and nod down past Loach and beat the under-21 stopper at his near post, for his third of the season.

The Hawthorns then came to life as the home supporters found their voice.
West Brom continued to have the better of the opening exchanges, clearly boosted by their early strike.

Watford's best play and creative inspiration seemed to come from Henri Lansbury, who again started in central midfield, as his all-action display the previous weekend.

However, with less than 20 minutes on the clock the Baggies had doubled their slender lead.

Eustace and Cox jump to the ball

A ball was played into the penalty area, Luke Moore raced to the ball and was closely flanked by Adrian Mariappa.

The pair went for the ball and captain Mariappa was still standing while Moore went to ground, the contact looked minimal as the pair tried to win the ball, but referee Mr N Sullivan blew his whistle and pointed to the penalty spot.

Central midfielder Graham Dorrans stepped up, kept his head and slotted the ball past the dive of Loach.

It was a blow to the Hornets as the task in front of them had just doubled in size.

Graham sees a chance go begging

Chances for the 'Orns were few and far between, Danny Graham having a low long-range effort on 21 minutes, that couldn't trouble Scott Carson in the home goal.

The former Carlisle man then blasted over shortly afterwards as the Baggies kept the Hornets at bay.
On 33 minutes the game came to life once more.

West Brom gained advantage with a flick-on that had Mariappa chasing once more with Moore.

Loach came racing from his line, Moore attempted to take it round him and as the striker went to ground, the crowd sensed another penalty in the pipeline.

Harley battles for the ball

It looked that way but instead the man in charge booked Moore for going down too easily, much to the displeasure of the majority of the crowd with The Hawthorns.

Watford still struggled to inflict some periods of pressure on the Baggies, who looked comfortable on the ball throughout the game.

The Golden Boys won their first corner on 37 minutes, the ball was played into the centre and after Craig Cathcart's flick-on, Mariappa headed over the bar.

There were no changes for the Golden Boys at the start of the second period.

Two minutes after the re-start Watford had their best chance of the game so far.

Jon Harley wriggled free down the left flank and put a teasing ball across the six yard box.

Lansbury couldn't quite get there but Graham arrived at the far post, unfortunately for the 'Orns his effort hit the side netting as he struggled to get a proper connection on the ball.

The tide then turned as the home side stepped up a gear. Simon Cox headed wide but Moore soon found himself on the score sheet.

The forward was strong in the penalty area and after holding off a challenge, he composed himself and let a shot fly past Loach and into the corner of the net to make it 3-0.

Helguson was introduced on 52 minutes, in place of Scottish midfielder Don Cowie.

To their credit, the Golden Boys tried to bounce back straight back - Lansbury finding a nice picket of space and striking the ball well, but his shot narrowly avoided Carson's spot.

But it was to no avail as the home side found the back of the net again on 63 minutes.

Substitute Helguson returns to action

Midfielder Gianni Zuiverloon cut in inside the penalty area and fired an unstoppable effort that Loach had no hope with.

The Baggies added another to make it 5-0 on 68 minutes. Cox hit a low shot from distance that evaded the dive of Loach and soon nestled in the net.

Substitute Nathan Ellington had a rare shot at goal for the Hornets on 70 minutes, but as he twisted and turned inside the area, his effort was well held by Carson.

Watford were fortunate not to concede more, Thomas should have tucked his chance away on 76 minutes after a tremendous ball in from the Albion right flank.

Scott Severin were brought on during the later stages in place of Eustace, in the heart of Watford's midfield.

There was little joy though for the Golden Boys, they couldn't find a way past Albion as they saw out the final period of the game.

In the time added at the end of match Ellington saw his bullet header tipped over the bar by Carson but it summed up an afternoon that everyone in the Watford camp will want to get out of their systems as quick as possible.

WEST BROMWICH ALBION: Carson (gk) (c); Zuiverloon, Olsson, Meite, Mattock; Thomas (Brunt 64), Jara, Dorrans, Teixeira; Cox, Moore. Subs not used: Kiely (gk), Bednar, Martis, Wood, Koren, Cech.

WATFORD: Loach (gk); Hodson, Mariappa (c), Cathcart, Doyley; Cleverley, Eustace (Severin 85), Lansbury, Harley; Cowie (Helguson 52), Graham (Ellington 64). Subs not used: Bond (gk), Sadler, Bryan, Henderson.

GOALS: WEST BROMWICH ALBION; Olsson (5), Dorrans (18), Moore (48), Zuiverloon (63), Cox (68). WATFORD; none.

BOOKINGS: WEST BROMWICH ALBION; Moore (ungentlemanly conduct 33). WATFORD; Hodson (professional foul 5).

SENDING OFFS: WEST BROMWICH ALBION; none. WATFORD; none.

ATTENDANCE: 21,421 (1187 Watford supporters).