West Ham hands Watford another home loss as record-signing Haller shines

By Nicholas MendolaAug 24, 2019, 12:22 PM EDT

West Ham United’s record signing has manager Manuel Pellegrini feeling great and Watford boss Javi Gracia looking over his shoulder.

The Irons took care of Watford 3-1 at Vicarage Road on Saturday, with Sebastien Haller having a role in all three goals during a brace-bagging performance.

[ MORE: How did Pulisic perform v. Norwich? ]

Watford falls to 0-3, high hopes sincerely grounded having lost to Everton, Brighton and Hove Albion, and now West Ham. Two of those losses came at home, a year after the Hornets remarkable 2018-19 season ended with eight losses at Vicarage Road.

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Three things we learned

1. Seb’s star show: West Ham United fans will be watching their big center forward closely this season as the club hopes it has its long-sought answer to the center forward position. Haller’s sensational pass helped the Irons earn a third-minute penalty, and he raced to the doorstep to deposit Felipe Anderson‘s second-half cross. After 15 goals and nine assists for Eintracht Frankfurt last season, Haller is every bit the multi-faceted playmaker required for the position. Will he be able to keep it up.

2. Don’t forget Felipe: West Ham’s transfer record holder prior to Haller’s arrival was as electric as ever. The Irons holding onto him this summer may’ve had a little bit of luck involved, but it was also a stroke of genius.

3. Will Hughes the ~~silver~~ blonde lining: The 24-year-old midfielder was very decent in defeat, getting an assist on Andre Gray‘s clinical equalizer before it all went back to poor form for the Hornets.

Man of the match: Haller

Noble’s penalty came after a clearly-fouled Manuel Lanzini launched himself into the air for what was a stonewall foul.

Gerard Deulofeu smashed a shot off the cross bar in the 7th minute after a terrific cross-18 through ball.

West Ham looked wide open in the midfield and allowed Hughes to show a bit of wizardry in cueing up Gray for his well-taken goal.

[ VIDEO: Premier League highlights ]

The teams continued to battle well for the points in entertaining fashion, and it was West Ham’s all-time transfer buys who delivered the winner.

Anderson‘s cross through traffic met Haller at the back post for a hopeful winner, and Haller later made it two.

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Watch Live: Four Premier League games at 10am ET

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By Joe Prince-WrightAug 24, 2019, 9:47 AM EDT

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Four Premier League games kick off at 10 a.m. ET on Saturday, as Matchweek 3 is in full swing.

[ STREAM: Every PL game live here ]

Man United host Crystal Palace, Southampton head to Brighton, Watford and West Ham do battle and Leicester travel to Sheffield United.

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You can access additional games by purchasing the new “Premier League Pass” via NBC Sports Gold which also includes an extensive selection of shoulder programming such as Premier League News, Premier League Today and NBC Sports originals such as Premier League Download and much more.

[ STREAM: “Goal Rush” here ]

For those of you familiar with the Premier League Breakaway Show during busy days (Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, Championship Sunday etc.) in the PL, this will follow that model of being similar to the NFL RedZone with action shown from all of the games in the 10 a.m. ET window. More info is available here.

The schedule for all four games at 10 a.m. ET is below and you can stream each game live by clicking on the links.

10 a.m. ET: Man United v. Crystal Palace – NBCSN [STREAM]
10 a.m. ET: Brighton v. Southampton – NBC Sports Gold [STREAM]
10 a.m. ET: Sheffield United v. Leicester – NBC Sports Gold [STREAM]
10 a.m. ET: Watford v. West Ham – NBC Sports Gold [STREAM]

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Watford’s Troy Deeney undergoes knee surgery

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By Joe Prince-WrightAug 22, 2019, 9:40 AM EDT

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Watford’s poor start to the season just got worse.

Captain and star striker Troy Deeney has had a knee operation and will be out for “several weeks” as he recovers,

Deeney, 31, has been Watford’s leading goalscorer in six of their past eight seasons and he continues to lead their line. But after back-to-back defeats to Brighton and Everton to open up the new season, the Hornets will have to do without him until mid-September at the earliest.

Manager Javi Gracia didn’t sound overjoyed by that prospect.

“We will miss Troy because he is a very important player for us but I know he will be supporting us in the next games. I am looking forward to seeing him back as soon as possible,” Gracia said.

Watford face West Ham and Newcastle before the international break and they will be desperate to get points on the board after two defeats which saw them fail to score.

The Hornets not starting the season well comes on the back of their poor finish to last season. They were in the hunt for seventh place but faded badly and ended up finishing in 11th as well as being hammered 6-0 by Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

Danny Welbeck, Andre Gray and Stefano Okaka are now likely to battle for minutes up top in the central role, while there will be more emphasis on Roberto Pereyra, Gerard Deulofeu and club-record signing Ismaila Sarr to chip in.

That being said, Deeney will need to come back fit and firing on all cylinders after the break as Watford face Arsenal, Man City, Wolves and Tottenham in a horror run of five games.

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Bernard leads Everton past Watford

By Joe Prince-WrightAug 17, 2019, 12:16 PM EDT

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Everton beat Watford 1-0 at Goodison Park on Saturday, as Bernard‘s first half chance was enough to grab all three points for the Toffees.

[ MORE: Watch full PL match replays ]

The Toffees had chances on the break to seal the deal but had Jordan Pickford to thank as Watford pushed hard for an equalizer.

Marco Silva‘s Everton have four points and two clean sheets from their first two games, while Watford have lost two out of two.

3 things we learned

1. Bernard reminds us of he’s quality: It was the moment which won Everton the game and it was that extra bit of quality we’ve come to expect from Bernard. We haven’t seen it enough over the past 12 months, but he has something Everton’s other attackers don’t have. Walcott, Richarlison and Kean have pace to burn but Bernard’s creativity is key to mixing things up.

2. Watford’s flat start a little concerning: Yes, they looked decent in the second half, but Javi Gracia‘s side just aren’t doing enough to force the issue in games. After getting hammered in the FA Cup final last summer and finishing the season poorly to finish outside of the top 10, Watford have maybe lost a little momentum. Danny Welbeck made his debut and should give them some extra firepower up top, while Sarr will be a good buy long-term.

3. Pickford saves Everton: A fine stop from Pickford in the second half kept Everton in this game and England’s goalkeeper came up big in a big moment. Pickford needs to do that consistently this season if the Toffees are going to finish in the top six. Defensively they’ve got better, but Pickford is key to all of that.

Man of the Match: Jordan Pickford – One fine stop and a calming influence at the back. Big performance from the Everton goalkeeper.

After a bright start Everton took the lead, as a long ball forward found Bernard and the Brazilian winger cut inside and curled home at the near post.

Watford finally woke up and former Everton winger Gerard Deulofeu was popping up to cause the Toffees defense problems. It looked like Yerry Mina took him down in the box but no penalty kick was given.

Etienne Capoue forced Jordan Pickford into a smart save at one end and Richarlison nodded over as Everton should have doubled their lead.

[ VIDEO: Premier League highlights ]

Pickford then denied Troy Deeney with a glorious save after rushing off his line bravely.

Richarlison missed another glorious chance in the second half against his former club as he nodded over, while Watford pushed forward late on for an equalizer.

Moise Kean, making his debut, surged clear but fired over as Everton looked to seal the win.

Abdoulaye Doucoure came close but Everton held on to stay unbeaten and they now have four points from their first two games of the season.

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Watch Live: Saints v. Liverpool headlines five PL games

By Joe Prince-WrightAug 17, 2019, 9:44 AM EDT

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Five Premier League games are coming up at 10 a.m. ET on Saturday, as the second Matchweek of the new campaign comes roaring at us.

[ STREAM: Every PL game live here ]

Southampton and Liverpool clash at St Mary’s in the main game at 10 a.m. ET, while two new boys have their first home games back in the PL.

Aston Villa host Bournemouth at Villa Park, while Norwich host Newcastle at Carrow Road. Elsewhere, Everton host Watford and West Ham travel to Brighton.

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[ STREAM: “Goal Rush” here ]

The schedule for all five games at 10 a.m. ET is below and you can stream each game live by clicking on the links.

10 a.m. ET: Southampton v. Liverpool – NBCSN [STREAM]
10 a.m. ET: Aston Villa v. Bournemouth – CNBC [STREAM]
10 a.m. ET: Brighton v. West Ham – NBC Sports Gold [STREAM]
10 a.m. ET: Everton v. Watford – NBC Sports Gold [STREAM]
10 a.m. ET: Norwich v. Newcastle – NBC Sports Gold [STREAM]

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