EPL: Brighton 1-0 Watford
Pascal Gross broke the deadlock
Brighton's first goal from open play in over 10 hours of Premier League football was enough to earn a 1-0 victory against Watford at the Amex Stadium on Saturday.
Pascal Gross broke the deadlock in the 64th minute with a long-range effort, but Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes will not be happy as he let the ball slip underneath him.
Watford offered very little as an attacking threat, with Richarlison heading their best opportunity for an equaliser wide from a good position, as the home side held on for victory with ease.
A first win in eight games for Brighton moves them up to 12th, five points clear of the relegation zone, while Watford stay in 10th, despite a fourth successive defeat.
The first half was a tepid affair, with two teams in poor form unable to really find their rhythm at the Amex.
The only opening of note came in the 32nd minute, but Connor Goldson's tame header from a good position was easily saved by Gomes.
After the break, the game did open up somewhat. Gross drilled for goal from distance early in the half, but it fizzed just wide.
Then, Gross went one better to relieve some of the tension around the stadium as Watford could not cope with the swift counter from the hosts.
Tomer Hemed fed Gross, who shifted the ball onto his right foot, fired back across where he had come from, which seemed to wrong-foot Gomes, who could not get down quick enough to keep the ball out.
Lewis Dunk then should have doubled Brighton's advantage, but he headed wide from just six yards after getting up highest to meet a corner, before Hemed drilled wide from inside the box.
As the half wore on, Watford did create some chances, with Richarlison heading wide after being picked out by Holebas, and substitute Stefano Okaka went close as he tried to+ bundle the ball home at the far post after Mat Ryan had let a cross slip through his hands, but Brighton saw out a vital win having faced just one shot on target all match.
Watford offered very little as an attacking threat, with Richarlison heading their best opportunity for an equaliser wide from a good position, as the home side held on for victory with ease.
A first win in eight games for Brighton moves them up to 12th, five points clear of the relegation zone, while Watford stay in 10th, despite a fourth successive defeat.
The first half was a tepid affair, with two teams in poor form unable to really find their rhythm at the Amex.
The only opening of note came in the 32nd minute, but Connor Goldson's tame header from a good position was easily saved by Gomes.
After the break, the game did open up somewhat. Gross drilled for goal from distance early in the half, but it fizzed just wide.
Then, Gross went one better to relieve some of the tension around the stadium as Watford could not cope with the swift counter from the hosts.
Tomer Hemed fed Gross, who shifted the ball onto his right foot, fired back across where he had come from, which seemed to wrong-foot Gomes, who could not get down quick enough to keep the ball out.
Lewis Dunk then should have doubled Brighton's advantage, but he headed wide from just six yards after getting up highest to meet a corner, before Hemed drilled wide from inside the box.
As the half wore on, Watford did create some chances, with Richarlison heading wide after being picked out by Holebas, and substitute Stefano Okaka went close as he tried to+ bundle the ball home at the far post after Mat Ryan had let a cross slip through his hands, but Brighton saw out a vital win having faced just one shot on target all match.