Spurs v Watford Tickets

Spurs v Watford Previous Fixture

Spurs v Watford Away – Premier League 2018/19

Spurs’ perfect start to the season ended at Vicarage Road on Sunday as goals from Troy Deeney and Craig Cathcart ensured Watford maintained their 100% record and condemned Spurs to their first loss of the season.

FULL-TIME: A disappointing afternoon at Vicarage Road as we drop our first points of the season after a second-half comeback from the home side. #COYS pic.twitter.com/fNTmTGUoHv

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) September 2, 2018

It was a lacklustre performance from Spurs and the manor of the goals conceded – both from set pieces – will undoubtedly irk manager Mauricio Pochettino and his coaching staff, particularly after he warned his players they could ‘crash’ against Watford after their impressive victory against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

In a scrappy first period Spurs had the better chances despite not registering a shot on target and Lucas Moura had a penalty shout turned down after Watford defender Christian Kabasele brought him down in the area. It was the Brazilian who was arguably Spurs’ brightest player as he was constantly a threat, with Dele Alli asking questions of the opposition with his late runs from midfield, almost looping a header over goalkeeper Ben Foster after Toby Alderweireld’s angled shot to him.

After Pochettino’s half time team talk Spurs appeared an improved side, Christian Eriksen had two efforts saved by Foster in the opening of the second half which signalled Spurs’ intent. A potential Spurs redemption was coming, however it came in bizarre circumstances as Watford’s French midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure turned  Moura’s cross into his own net. It was recorded as the Watford man’s, despite the best efforts of Eriksen to get a touch as it went past him.

However instead of pressing home their advantage, Spurs inexplicably took their foot off the gas and as such had to weather the Watford storm. They were close to conceding again when Toby Alderweireld accidently turned Deeney’s cross onto the bar and the equaliser coming quickly after, with captain Deeney glancing home Jose Holebas’ free kick past a helpless Michel Vorm.

Soon after it was another set piece that undone Spurs, this time Northern Irish international Craig Cathcart powered in a header from Holebas’ corner to turn it around for the home side and put Watford 2-1 up.

Fernando Llorente was sent on as Spurs looked to find an equaliser but it was not to be and Harry Kane headed over late on to cap off a frustrating match for him personally and for the team as a whole.

👏 Most home points in the Premier League since Javi Gracia was appointed @WatfordFC Head Coach on Jan 21.

23: Watford
23: Liverpool
22: Manchester City
21: Arsenal
21: Manchester United
21: Tottenham pic.twitter.com/jCT4b4ipBr

— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) September 2, 2018

Pochettino Unhappy with Performance

In hindsight, a face-off with Watford may prove to be a tough fight for the top 6 as Vicarage Road has been a fortress for the Hornets. Manager Javi Gracia boasts an impressive record at Vicarage Road in recent times as Watford have lost only 1 of their last 11 home matches in the Premier League under his stewardship.  A careless approach having taken the lead is a lesson that Spurs will surely learn moving forward in this most exciting of seasons.

Spurs v Watford Attendance

Vicarage Road: 20,141

Starting Line-ups: Spurs v Watford

Tottenham Hotspur:  Vorm, Trippier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Davies, Dembele, Eriksen, Alli, Lucas, Kane

Watford: Foster, Janmaat, Cathcart, Kabasele, Holebas, Hughes, Doucoure, Capoue, Pererya, Gray, Deeney

Poch’s Comments

“We need to show more respect to this competition. It’s difficult for me to understand after four years of us being contenders. Today, from the beginning, we needed to go there like a lion… If you want to win you need to show that character. Maybe you cannot play so well but you need to win this type of game if you want to be a contender at the end.”

Man of the Match

From a Spurs perspective the award has to go to Moura. He was a constant threat with his direct dribbling and grabbed the assist to Watford’s own goal.

What’s next for Tottenham Hotspur?

Because of the international break Spurs will have two weeks until they can get back to winning ways, which may actually benefit them, before a mouth-watering tie against Liverpool. Things do not get any easier after that as their Champions League campaign gets underway with a trip to the San Siro to face Inter Milan.

To see how this these 2 teams fare next time they meet, book your Spurs v Watford Tickets today!

Spurs v Watford Last Season

Spurs defeated Watford with ease as they extended the distance between themselves and 5th place Chelsea. Harry Kane closes in on Mo Salah by one, and Dele Alli scores his fourth PL goal in his last five matches.

Tottenham were able to find holes almost immediately and registered two shots within the space of seven minutes. Dembele demonstrated his trickery on the left flank before whipping it into the middle for Eric Dier; who couldn’t quite keep his header from rising over the bar.

The Spurs No. 20 opened the scoring for Spurs in the 16th minute. Kieran Trippier started the move off by curling a dangerous cross into the box from the right wing. It must be said, it came via a terrible mistake from the Watford keeper. Although the Spurs man’s play was faultless, the keeper dropped it when attempting to pluck it from the air. He made an absolute hash of it, and Eriksen flicked it on to Dele, who took control and fired into the bottom corner of the open net.

Watford had a chance to equalise just before the thirty minute mark. Eric Dier’s pass was intercepted by Capoue. Capoue passed through to Gray who found himself one-on-one with the Spurs skipper, who got down to his left quickly to beat the effort away.

Eriksen had another effort soon after, finding himself in acres of space, but his powerful shot dipped the wrong side of the post. Watford then had a nice passage of play, which resulted in a shot from Doucoure. Hugo Lloris scooped up the effort with ease. It was a delightful pass from Will Hughes to set Doucoure up.

Watford had an excellent chance in the 43rd minute as the Spurs defence was fou d lacking. Richarlison was left free, playing across the goalmouth, but his effort was saved again. Immediately after, Hughes got free of his marker, going on to split the Spurs defence with a pass through to Doucoure. Hugo made an incredible decision to sprint 25 yards and slide tackle the Watford striker himself to quell the danger. The skipper had rescued Spurs in the first half.

After a ropey end to the first half, Spurs came out lively after the break. Dele Alli sent a lovely through ball to Heung-Min Son with the outside of his boot, Son then squared the it to Harry who slipped on the turf. Luckily, it was returned  to the middle, and the Spurs No. 10 had a chance to rectify his mistake, side-footing a lovely effort past Karnezis to double the lead.

Spurs had a chance to add to their lead in the 68th minute. Trippier had an excellent game when attacking Watford. His plays in had been consistently dangerous, it is just a shame that he left his defence position naked on quite a few occasions. He sent another excellent ball in from a free kick to the back post. Jan Vertonghen rose to strike a blinding header off the Watford woodwork.

Watford had found the net with just over a quarter of an hour to go though. Substitute Gerard Deulofeu side-stepped the Spurs goalie and found the net but he was later ruled offside. The exact same situation occurred again for Spurs not three minutes later. Vertonghen was found with a pass, who found himself at the edge of the Watford penalty area. He controlled the situation with aplomb and passed it on to Harry who curled it past the keeper. There was no need for him to be offside; he could see everyone that mattered. He went slightly too early, it just seems like another reminder that the striker is yet to return to his fully fit, alert and clinical self.

Spurs have returned to winning ways. They were fluid in attack and created a lot of chances. However, if Watford were more clinical in the final third this could have been a very different story. Spurs left serious holes at the back, and no doubt Pochettino will be looking to rectify this on the training ground before the team takes to the pitch again.

Spurs v Watford Attendance

Wembley Stadium: 52,675

Starting Line-ups: Spurs v Watford

Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris, Davies, Vertonghen, Sanchez, Trippier, Dier, Dembélé, Eriksen, Alli, Son, Kane

Watford: Karnezis, Mariappa, Cathcart, Kabasele, Holebas, Capoue, Doucoure, Femenia, Hughes, de Andrade, Gray

Poch’s Comments

“I think it was a good night for us. We took the three points which allow us to be in a good position on the table. It is important to win the game, we might not have played the way we wanted – the performance wasn’t great. It has now been 10 months of competition, its hard to keep playing good football. They played well, they created great chances, there were a few situations that showed why Lloris is one of the best keepers in the world.”

Man of the Match

The official award has given to Kieran Trippier. The right-back had been dangerous going forward throughout, and it was his dangerous balls in that eventually led to both goals. What Kieran does best is provide the support and skill of an extra midfielder when going forward. He has the vision, the ability, and the pace to cause trouble to opponent fullbacks. He must make sure he can cover his tracks, however, a more clinical side could have punished Spurs a few times.

Personally, I believe that Hugo Lloris deserves to be singled out in this fixture. After a few weeks where the skipper had not quite performed at his best, he seemed to have returned to top form against Watford. He saved Spurs on a couple of occasions when the back four were beaten. He alone kept Watford off the scoresheet.

What’s next for Tottenham Hotspur?

Spurs travel to the West Midlands on Saturday to battle it out with table bottomers West Bromwich Albion. The relegation-bound Baggies have found a new lease of life under caretaker manager Darren Moore, will Spurs be able to send them packing to the Championship.

To see how this game plays out this year in VIP style, book your Spurs v Watford Tickets today!