Watford manager Nigel Pearson warned his side of the perils of relegation if they do not stop “gifting” points away after a 3-1 home defeat...
Watford manager Nigel Pearson warned his side of the perils of relegation if they do not stop “gifting” points away after a 3-1 home defeat by Southampton on Sunday.
Danny Ings produced two fine finishes to further his case for the Premier League Golden Boot as Saints realistically secured their top-flight status for another season by reaching 40 points.
A bad day for the Hornets began before kick-off when three players were excluded from Pearson’s squad for breaching coronavirus protocols.
Watford said Andre Gray, Nathaniel Chalobah and Domingos Quina were not included to protect “the health and safety of all players, staff and officials” after Gray hosted a birthday party on Friday with more than the permitted six people present.
On the field, Pearson’s men have also had a poor start to the Premier League resumption with just one point from their first three games leaving them still just a point above the drop zone.
“We were second best for too long,” said Pearson. “You can’t concede goals like gifts to your opponents, it makes the job even harder.”
Watford are the only side this season to beat champions Liverpool in the Premier League and also beat Manchester United early in Pearson’s reign after taking charge in December.
With bottom-of-the-table Norwich, Newcastle and fellow strugglers West Ham to...
