Spurs stung by the Hornets
Watford moved above Manchester City into third place in the Premier League after inflicting the first defeat of the season on Tottenham.
It’s four wins from four for the Hornets, who launched a stirring second-half comeback to beat Spurs 2-1 at Vicarage Road.
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The visitors went ahead on 53 minutes when Watford midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure put the ball into his own net, but Troy Deeney levelled for the home side on 69 minutes and Craig Cathcart then scored what would be the winner seven minutes later.
“This result gives us confidence,” said Watford captain Deeney. “Four wins out of four is a huge achievement for a club of our size. We’re not naive to think we’re going to go on and win the league.
“We’ve got a lot to work on - we are just going to do our job. We’ve got an added boost and added confidence from this result.”
Disappointed
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino said he was “disappointed” with his side’s defeat, particularly the mistakes they made that allowed Watford to snatch the three points. “If you want to be a contender you cannot concede the type of goals we conceded,” said the Argentine. “The reality is so clear. When you lose you must learn and improve.”
Not getting carried away
It is the first time in 30 years that Watford have won their first four league matches of a season, and the victory over Tottenham means only they along with leaders Liverpool and Chelsea have maximum points going into next weekend’s international break.
“We showed a lot of character,” said Deeney. “We were disappointed in the first half but we showed resilience. A lot of teams would fold after going behind to Tottenham… but we cannot get too carried away because we’ve got Manchester United next.”
Happy days
Watford host United on Saturday week and Jose Mourinho’s Red Devils will head south with their morale boosted by a 2-0 win away at Burnley.
It’s been a torrid start to the season for United but a brace of first-half goals from Romelu Lukaku ensured there was no slip-up at Turf Moor.
Not that it was a flawless afternoon for Mourinho’s side: Paul Pogba missed a penalty and Marcus Rashford was sent off on 71 minutes for leaning into Clarets’ defender Phil Bardsley with his head.
“The three points were an important thing, the quality of the performance and happiness of the team is an Old Trafford response,” said Mourinho, who last week saw his side lose 3-0 at home to Tottenham.
Man versus boy
Pogba should have stretched United’s lead to 3-0 in the second-half - after Aaron Lennon fouled Rashford - but his penalty was saved by Burnley keeper Joe Hart.
“I never blame a player for missing penalties, I blame the ones who refuse to go up there,” was Mourinho’s response to the saved spot-kick.
As for Rashford’s red card, he was less forgiving. “I would say it was naive,” he said. “It was a kid and a very experienced man. Bardsley’s been in the game for 20 years and Marcus is a naive boy.”
Rashford later took to Twitter to apologise for his actions, saying: “Emotions got the better of me, I shouldn’t of reacted like that. Sorry to everyone at the club and all the fans.”
Gunners grab away win
In the day’s other game, Arsenal secured their first away win of the season with a 3-2 victory at Cardiff.
The Gunners were made to work hard for the three points - which lifts them into ninth spot - with Cardiff twice fighting their way back into the game thanks to goals from Victor Camarasa and Danny Ward.
But Arsenal had the last word with the outstanding Alexandre Lacazette blasting home the winner on 81 minutes, following efforts from Shkodran Mustafi and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
“Every other player worked well with the commitment we want,” said Arsenal boss Unai Emery. “We are happy for that and we are evolving.”
Premier League results
- Leicester City 1 Liverpool 2
- Brighton & Hove Albion 2 Fulham 2
- Chelsea 2 AFC Bournemouth 0
- Crystal Palace 0 Southampton 2
- Everton 1 Huddersfield Town 1
- West Ham United 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1
- Manchester City 2 Newcastle United 1
- Cardiff City 2 Arsenal 3
- Burnley 0 Manchester United 2
- Watford 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1
