Little lifts Burnley to second

Burnley 1 Watford

There is no denying the commitment of the Watford manager, Gianluca Vialli, to his team's cause. His passion matched the stereotype of his Italian heritage as he paced moodily up and down the touchline contesting a clutch of second-half decisions.

"The frustration makes you lose patience a little quickly," he said. "I was unhappy with some decisions but I don't want to make a big deal of it ­ I wasn't disrespectful and as a manager I think you have the right to complain as long as it is done politely."

Perhaps, though, given the fact that this was the Hornets' sixth away defeat of the campaign, his side need to ditch a little of the respect they showed Burnley in an opening period in which they might have been overrun. It took just two minutes for the home side to take the lead when Ramon Vega, being too polite to his hosts, inadvertently fed Paul Weller, who threaded an inviting ball through Watford's defence for Glen Little to strike home.

Scenting the prized second position, Burnley then applied pressure of surgical precision and lump-hammer devastation. But despite a plethora of opportunities, notably for Gareth Taylor, who headed over from close range, and Weller, who was denied by a stretching Alec Chamberlain save, the efforts came to nought.

Watford had their moments on the break but composure was in short supply as Heidar Helguson first shot over the bar from two yards and then failed to pick out an unmarked Tommy Smith, choosing instead to strike from an impossible angle.

The visitors were more spirited and cohesive after the break and Paolo Vernazza was unfortunate not to profit from a thrusting three-man exchange, while Neil Cox twice tried his luck from distance.

That, though, was Watford's problem ­ while they achieved parity of possession and of territory, the promise too often dissolved at the edge of the box.

Should any side show a modicum of consistency in a cramped leading pack, then a clear run to promotion might be theirs. But, given both sides' Jekyll and Hyde tendencies last night, one may have to look elsewhere for the prime candidates.

Burnley (4-4-2): Michopoulos; West, I Cox, Gnohéré, Briscoe; Little, Weller (Ball, 70), Grant, Cook (Johnrose, 73); Taylor, Moore. Substitutes not used: Cennamo (gk), Payton, Branch

Watford (3-5-2): Chamberlain; N Cox, Issa (Gayle, 63), Vega; Doyley, Hyde, Hughes (Wooter, 63), Vernazza (Noble, 76), Robinson; Helguson, Smith. Substitutes not used: Baardsen (gk), Hand.

Referee: T Parkes (Birmingham).