Wolverhampton Wanderers

4

Watford

0

Watford succumbed to a 4-0 defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers under the lights at Molineux.

Goals from Raúl Jiménez, Daniel Podence and Rúben Neves, alongside a Cucho Hernández own goal, were the difference, on a night to forget for the Golden Boys.

The game started fairly evenly until the opener; Hernández looked like he may have won a penalty after Rayan Aït-Nouri brought down the Colombian, but an offside Emmanuel Dennis had interfered with play, meaning the appeals were waved away.

The hosts took the lead soon after. Hwang Hee-chan broke into the Watford box and played in Jiménez, with the Mexican coolly slotting home the opener.

Five minutes later, Wolves were two ahead. A long cross over everyone found Aït-Nouri, and the France youth international’s pass across goal deflected in off Hernández at the near post.

Two became three on 20 minutes. Ben Foster’s clearance was intercepted by Podence outside the box. The winger lofted the ball in from long-range, creating a scoreline that would prove difficult to surmount.

Joshua King ran in behind the Wolves backline after being played in smartly by skipper Moussa Sissoko, but his effort went just over the bar.

To make matters worse for the Hornets, manager Roy Hodgson was forced to make a change on the half-hour mark, with Kiko Femenía picking up an injury. The Spaniard was replaced by Christian Kabasele.

Kabasele had an effort at goal soon after entering the field of play as Watford continued to fight, but the Belgian struck his effort wide from the edge of the box.

Hodgson saw the need for a change at the break, bringing Samuel Kalu on in place of King. Kalu’s introduction did prompt attacking intent, but Watford remained on the back foot.

Imrân Louza had a free-kick deflected wide, and a Hernández effort was saved by José Sá. Kabasele also headed an attempt at goal, but couldn’t keep it down.

At the other end, a Podence shot ricocheted wide, and substitute Pedro Neto’s header was saved by Foster. Fábio Silva also got on the end of a low cross, but failed to divert it goalwards.

The fourth goal came with just over five minutes left of normal time, Neves cleverly lifting the ball in over Foster from just inside the box.

Keen to move on swiftly from defeat in the West Midlands, Watford travel south to face Southampton on Sunday (March 13, 2pm KO).

Lineup

Next Game