Wilfried Zaha sinks the Hornets back down to the Championship

A first half Wilfried Zaha penalty saw Crystal Palace gain another three points and ultimately confirm Watford’s relegation with 5 games to spare.

Crystal Palace came off the back of a late win against Southampton the week before, and with high hopes manager Patrick Viera made 5 changes from the side that won at St Mary’s. Along those came in Wilfried Zaha who scored the winner last week after coming off the bench, as well as Michael Olise, Odsonne Edouard and former Hornets fan favourite Will Hughes.

Watford manager Roy Hodgson returned to his former stomping ground for the first time in a year and made 4 changes from the heartbreaking defeat to Burnley a week ago. In came Edo Kayembe, Joshua King, Tom Cleverley and Craig Cathcart as the Hornets looked to survive the drop.

Kick-off was delayed due to balloons entering the pitch courtesy of a display from the Holmesdale Road end, and the hosts were the quickest to settle once play eventually got underway. Marc Guehi’s header looping over the crossbar just 5 minutes in set the tone for a mostly Crystal Palace dominant game.

Weak efforts from Michael Olise and Wilfried Zaha allowed Watford to have a spell of possession which didn’t come to much, Jack Butland equal to a cross coming close to his area.

Crystal Palace would eventually make a breakthrough, with an Olise header coming off the hand of Hassane Kamara, and allowing Wilfred Zaha to slot home from 12 yards to make it 3 goals in 3 games against Watford this season in all competitions.

The Palace dominance continued, Marc Guehi again causing problems in the box and forcing Foster into one of many fantastic saves he made throughout the game and keeping Watford in it.

After the break again Palace looked much sharper from the off, something Watford may have felt has happened too much this season. Odsonne Edouard with a fantastic run through the Watford defence but hitting the post after another brilliant Ben Foster save.

Watford’s quest for survival became an even bigger mountain to climb as Hassane Kamara was sent off for a second yellow card offence by stopping Olise by getting to the ball.

With Palace having the extra man and dominating since the start of the game, they eventually saw the game out with little resistance and came out 1–0 winners, sealing Watford a second championship season in 3 years.

Written by: WFCHenry

Twitter: @WFCHenry

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