Watford extended Crystal Palace's winless run to nine Premier League matches, with a 2-1 victory over the Eagles at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
Troy Deeney put the Hornets ahead with a well taken penalty in the 16th minute of the contest, only for his effort to be cancelled out by Emmanuel Adebayor's first goal for Palace on the stroke of half-time.
However, the visitors would have the last laugh, with Deeney superbly finishing off Ben Watson's cross in the 82nd minute to secure all three points for Watford.
Adding insult to injury for Palace was Pape Souare's stoppage time red card, which saw the Eagles hopes of an equaliser dashed.
MATCH OVERVIEW
Crystal Palace: 1 (Emmanuel Adebayor 45')
Watford: 2 (Troy Deeney (PEN) 16'/82')
Selhurst Park, London (24,564)
TALKING POINTS
Watford were the better side for the majority of the contest and deserved to come away with all three points after fashioning more clear-cut goal-scoring opportunities than their opponents. The win moves the Hornets into eighth place on the Premier League ladder.
Palace's last win was on December 19 and pressure is starting to mount on manager Alan Pardew. Adebayor's first goal for the Eagles is a positive sub-story, which may give his manager some temporary respite.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Palace travel to White Hart Lane to face Tottenham in the same competition on Sunday, while Watford host Leeds United in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Saturday.
TWITTER INSIGHT
Great game today both sets of fans made for a fantastic atmosphere fully appreciate by the lads on to Leeds now pic.twitter.com/FP2I89gHTW
— Troy Deeney (@T_Deeney) February 13, 2016
Massive win!! Thanks for your support!! Gran victoria!! Gracias por vuestro apoyo, impresionantes!! https://t.co/86mRHjzEnZ
— Mario Suárez (@MarioSuarez4) February 13, 2016
QUOTES CORNER
Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew is concerned with his side's recent form:
"We know we are on a tricky run and these things go against you on these runs. We just have to focus now and get out of this run. The league form is a bit of a worry and we just have to put it right.
"It is a 90 minute game and we wasted 45 minutes."
Watfordboss Quique Sanchez Flores was pleased with his side's performance:
"It is always important psychologically for players to win. You work hard every single week but you need to win to confirm the good feelings you have in the week.
"It is an important win for us, we are close to the target and we are happy with the performance of the players."
STATS SPECIALS
*Thanks to Opta
22 - 22 of Emmanuel Adebayor's 97 Premier League goals have been scored from headers. Nuts.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 13, 2016
475 – Emmanuel Adebayor has scored his first Premier League goal in 475 days (October 2014 vs Newcastle). Wait.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 13, 2016
TEAM LEADERS
Goals - Yohan Cabaye, Scott Dann 5
Assists - Wilfried Zaha 5
Clean sheets - Wayne Hennessey 6
Yellow cards - Yohan Cabaye 6
Red cards - Pape Souare, Dwight Gayle 1
Goals - Odion Ighalo 15
Assists - Troy Deeney 8
Clean sheets - Heurelho Gomes 9
Yellow cards - Allan Nyom 6
Red cards - Nathan Ake, Valon Berhami 1
