Watford vs Cardiff: Gerard Deulofeu reminds Premier League of his quality with stunning solo goal

Watford 3-2 Cardiff: The home side were cruising with a three-goal lead but had to hold on after conceding two late goals

Gerard Deulofeu produced the kind of goal that twice earned him spells at Barcelona as he looks to prove he can show his quality in England on a consistent basis.

The Watford forward’s quick feet saw him charge through the Cardiff City defence, leaving Sol Bamba and Sean Morrison embarrassed, before coolly finishing. It was the kind of goal Diego Maradona used to score and, although unlikely to be a contender for goal of the season, could well take the goal of December honour.

Deulofeu has also spent time in England at Everton and will be hopeful that he can finally settle at Vicarage Road and replicate wonder goals like this one.

The Spaniard certainly proved he can perform on a cold, wet day in Watford and ran the show in difficult conditions. His touch also set up another superb goal for Jose Holebas early in the second half while Domingos Quina added a third.

Cardiff did at least show late fight with goals from Junior Hoilett and Bobby Reid but the scoreline in the end flattered them.

Neil Warnock’s side had been buoyed by victory over Southampton last week but were second best from start to finish in this one which was amazingly the first time these two sides had met in the top flight of English football.

Javi Gracia has his Watford side playing an attractive passing style and they threatened from the off with captain Troy Deeney shooting wide.

Then came Deulofeu’s wonderful goal on 16 minutes that helped Gracia’s side settle but they should have had this game sealed before the break.

With Deulofeu proving the architect, Roberto Pereyra should have produce the finished but went for a sidefoot that was kept out by Neil Etheridge.

The Spaniard's goal was a reminder of his quality (REUTERS) (Reuters)

Etheridge made a brilliant save just before the break with virtually the last touch of the half as he flung to his right to prevent Pereyra’s free kick from finding the top corner.

Cardiff may have replaced Josh Murphy with Nathaniel Menez-Laing at the start of the second half but they still struggled to get into the game as Watford continued where they had left off.

Pereyra was also denied by another superb Etheridge save and they scored their deserved second on 52 minutes. Deulofeu’s simple pass found Holebas on the edge of the area and his curling shot found the top corner.

Ben Foster was still a virtual spectator in the Watford goal but Cardiff did offer a brief response as Victor Camarasa shot wide from distance. They did, though, look like a side of hard-working Championship players rather than one with any real likelihood to stay in the Premier League this term.

Cardiff threatened to fight back (REUTERS)

That was proved by another Watford goal on 68 minutes with Quina scoring for the first time in the league in English football as he powered home from the edge of the area having been set up by Deeney’s clever flick.

The hosts continued to press for further goals with Holebas denied again by Etheridge, who was one of the few Cardiff players to emerge from this game with much credit.

Still Watford continued to attack with Deeney challenging Etheridge for the loose ball and Gracia was in no mood for mercy as he even brought on another attacker in Isaac Success.

Cardiff, hopelessly second best, though scored twice in three minutes to make things interesting. First Junior Hoilett curled home from 25 yards on 80 minutes and two minutes later substitute Bobby Reid bundled home after Sol Bamba’s shot had been saved.

Cardiff though had no further chances for a leveller with Watford going close to a fourth as Etheridge again made a fine save to deny Abdoulaye Doucoure.