Watford vs Tottenham - as it happened: Harry Kane and Dele Alli both see double as Spurs cruise to victory
Re-live all the action from Vicarage Road
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Key information…
KICK-OFF: 13:30, Sunday 1 January 2017
TV: Live on Sky Sports 1
Teams...
Watford (3-4-2-1): Gomes; Kaboul, Prödl, Cathcart; Zúñiga, Capoue, Guedioura, Holebas; Amrabat, Doucouré; Deeney.
Tottenham Hotspur (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Trippier, Alderweireld, Wimmer, Rose; Dier, Wanyama; Son, Alli, Eriksen; Kane.
Follow the live action below...
Please allow a moment for the blog to load.
It’s a big game for…
Younes Kaboul. The Frenchman plied his trade for Sunday’s visitors for five years and will want to get one up on his old club. Watford haven’t kept a clean sheet since their 1-0 win against Hull back in October, and Kaboul would love to end that streak here today.
Best stat…
29. The last time Watford triumphed against Tottenham was 29 years ago back in the 1986/87 season, when the Hornets secured a 1-0 home win. Despite seeming like a long while, it’s only ten games without a win. Only.
Remember when…
A Kieran Trippier goal just after the hour helped Spurs claim a 1-0 win in their last meeting.
Player to watch…
Troy Deeney. The Watford striker racked up his 100th goal for the Hornets in the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace and will be keen to build on it. That was his first goal since October and now he needs to spearhead the Watford attack by picking up some momentum by way of goalscoring.
Past three meetings…
Tottenham 1 (Trippier) Watford 0, Premier League, February 2016
Watford 1 (Ighalo) Tottenham 2 (Lamela, Son Heung-Min), Premier League, December 2015
Watford 0 Tottenham 1 (Van der Vaart), FA Cup, January 2012
Form guide…
Watford: LLWLLD
Tottenham: LWWLWW
Odds…
Watford to win: 19/4
Tottenham to win: 7/10
Draw: 11/4
47 mins: Oh my goodness what a chance for Palace! Townsend sends in a cross from the right and Benteke thunders in at the back post, climbs above Bellerin but his header is weak, bounces across goal and wide. He should have scored.
48 mins: Back at the other end Arsenal go close again as Palace fail to deal with a corner and the ball falls to Sanchez who shoots but his effort is blocked. A very open start to the second half.
50 mins: Arsenal might still be on top but that chance for Benteke will be a lift for Palace. If they can get a few more deliveries up to the big man they might just get some joy.
52 mins: A mini keep-ball session from Arsenal ends when Sanchez gives it away. They do like to over-elaborate.
54 mins: Back to the pattern of the first half as Arsenal spray the ball around and Palace can hardly get a touch. Again, though, Arsenal's build-up comes to nothing as Perez's cross goes straight out of play.
GOAL - Iwobi
That should do for Palace. Sanchez plays in Bellerin and his low cross loops up off a defender, and when it comes down Iwobi nods it towards goal. Ward tries to clear but only helps it in off the underside of the crossbar. A scrappy, mess of a goal for Palace to concede but Arsenal thoroughly deserve it.
58 mins: Close for Palace as Benteke heads down from a corner and Cech saves. Then Cabaye leathers in a volley - Cech saves again.
61 mins: Now Townsend smashes in a shot that Cech beats away. Signs of life from Palace at last. Three saves from Cech in the space of a minute.
64 mins: Townsend is causing Arsenal a few problems down their left wing. This time he goes close with an inswinging cross that misses everyone and is heading for the bottom corner until Cech scrambles it away.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments