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Crystal Palace 1-0 Watford: Hornets relegated from Premier League

By Matt GaultBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Premier Leaguecomments339

Zaha scores the winning goal from the penalty spot
Wilfried Zaha tucked his penalty past Ben Foster after Hassane Kamara's handball

Watford have been relegated from the Premier League after Wilfried Zaha's first-half penalty secured a deserved victory for Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Defeat by Burnley last week had left the Hornets 12 points adrift of safety with four games remaining and Palace sent their former manager Roy Hodgson's side straight back down to the Championship with a dominant display.

The Eagles controlled the contest from the outset and went ahead when Zaha confidently swept his 31st-minute spot-kick past Ben Foster after Hassane Kamara had used his arm to block Michael Olise's back-post header.

Watford never looked like scoring and their misery was compounded when Kamara, already booked for that handball, was dismissed when his push on Olise produced a second yellow card.

It is the second time Watford have dropped out of the top flight in the past three seasons. The manager-less Hornets also went went down on the final day of the 2019-20 campaign before securing an immediate return under Xisco Munoz.

The identity of the coach who will be tasked with emulating Munoz's achievement is still unknown, however, with Hodgson set to retire from top-level management when his contract at Vicarage Road expires at the end of the season.

Relegation represents a bitter final chapter in 74-year-old Hodgson's time as a manager, which has included spells at 17 clubs - including Palace - in eight countries, plus four international sides, during a 46-year career.

Palace's win - which takes them to within five points of their highest-ever tally in a Premier League season - confirmed what many Watford fans had already accepted after last week's loss to fellow strugglers Burnley.

While they briefly boosted their survival hopes with victory at Southampton in March, a fourth Premier League relegation was effectively sealed with a run of five straight defeats before the trip to Selhurst.

Hassane Kamara is sent off by referee Graham Scott
Watford's misery was compounded when Kamara was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Olise

Watford never really got going as Palace took control early on. France Under-21 winger Olise, one of five players recalled by Eagles boss Patrick Vieira, created the home side's first chance after five minutes when Marc Guehi headed his teasing cross over the bar.

Olise was also involved in the first-half's key moment when his header from Eberechi Eze's left-wing cross struck Watford full-back Kamara's outstretched arm.

Graham Scott pointed to the spot, and while Kamara claimed Olise had pushed him in the back, a VAR review upheld the referee's decision, allowing Zaha to add to the double he netted in Palace's 4-1 win over Watford in February.

While Watford needed to score twice, it was Palace who looked like grabbing the game's second goal with Odsonne Edouard almost netting a superb solo goal just after the hour, dancing his way through the visitors' defence before hitting the post from a tight angle.

With Kamara sent off on 68 minutes, Palace cruised to victory as the game - and Watford's stay in the division - ended with a whimper.

Line-ups

Crystal Palace

Formation 4-3-3

  • 1Butland
  • 17Clyne
  • 16Andersen
  • 6GuéhiSubstituted forMitchellat 73'minutes
  • 2Ward
  • 23GallagherSubstituted forSchluppat 63'minutes
  • 12HughesBooked at 64mins
  • 10Eze
  • 7OliseBooked at 90mins
  • 22Édouard
  • 11ZahaSubstituted forMatetaat 83'minutes

Substitutes

  • 3Mitchell
  • 4Milivojevic
  • 5Tomkins
  • 8Kouyaté
  • 9J Ayew
  • 14Mateta
  • 15Schlupp
  • 19Matthews
  • 20Benteke

Watford

Formation 4-3-3

  • 1Foster
  • 21Femenía
  • 15Cathcart
  • 22SamirSubstituted forTroost-Ekongat 78'minutes
  • 14KamaraBooked at 68mins
  • 19Sissoko
  • 39Kayembe
  • 8CleverleySubstituted forSemaat 52'minutes
  • 23Sarr
  • 7KingBooked at 84mins
  • 25DennisSubstituted forMasinaat 73'minutes

Substitutes

  • 2Ngakia
  • 4Etebo
  • 5Troost-Ekong
  • 11Masina
  • 12Sema
  • 16Gosling
  • 26Bachmann
  • 27Kabasele
  • 28Kalu
Referee:
Graham Scott
Attendance:
24,622

Match Stats

Home TeamCrystal PalaceAway TeamWatford
Possession
Home68%
Away32%
Shots
Home15
Away6
Shots on Target
Home7
Away1
Corners
Home8
Away5
Fouls
Home11
Away18

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Crystal Palace 1, Watford 0.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Crystal Palace 1, Watford 0.

  3. Booking

    Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  4. Post update

    Foul by Michael Olise (Crystal Palace).

  5. Post update

    Ken Sema (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  6. Post update

    Attempt saved. Jeffrey Schlupp (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Will Hughes.

  7. Post update

    Will Hughes (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  8. Post update

    Foul by Ismaïla Sarr (Watford).

  9. Post update

    Foul by Jeffrey Schlupp (Crystal Palace).

  10. Post update

    Ken Sema (Watford) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  11. Post update

    Attempt missed. Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace) header from very close range is close, but misses to the left.

  12. Post update

    Attempt saved. Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Michael Olise with a cross.

  13. Booking

    Joshua King (Watford) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  14. Post update

    Joachim Andersen (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  15. Post update

    Foul by Joshua King (Watford).

  16. Substitution

    Substitution, Crystal Palace. Jean-Philippe Mateta replaces Wilfried Zaha.

  17. Post update

    Attempt missed. Craig Cathcart (Watford) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Kiko Femenía with a cross following a corner.

  18. Post update

    Corner, Watford. Conceded by Tyrick Mitchell.

  19. Post update

    Foul by Jeffrey Schlupp (Crystal Palace).

  20. Post update

    Edo Kayembe (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Page 1 of 6
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Player of the match

EzeEberechi Eze

with an average of 8.12

Crystal Palace

  1. Squad number10Player nameEze
    Average rating

    8.12

  2. Squad number15Player nameSchlupp
    Average rating

    7.91

  3. Squad number23Player nameGallagher
    Average rating

    7.84

  4. Squad number7Player nameOlise
    Average rating

    7.84

  5. Squad number22Player nameÉdouard
    Average rating

    7.81

  6. Squad number11Player nameZaha
    Average rating

    7.81

  7. Squad number16Player nameAndersen
    Average rating

    7.79

  8. Squad number3Player nameMitchell
    Average rating

    7.75

  9. Squad number2Player nameWard
    Average rating

    7.59

  10. Squad number12Player nameHughes
    Average rating

    7.57

  11. Squad number6Player nameGuéhi
    Average rating

    7.49

  12. Squad number14Player nameMateta
    Average rating

    7.43

  13. Squad number17Player nameClyne
    Average rating

    7.42

  14. Squad number1Player nameButland
    Average rating

    7.29

Watford

  1. Squad number1Player nameFoster
    Average rating

    5.77

  2. Squad number12Player nameSema
    Average rating

    5.49

  3. Squad number15Player nameCathcart
    Average rating

    3.48

  4. Squad number8Player nameCleverley
    Average rating

    3.42

  5. Squad number11Player nameMasina
    Average rating

    3.40

  6. Squad number21Player nameKiko Femenía
    Average rating

    3.38

  7. Squad number25Player nameDennis
    Average rating

    3.35

  8. Squad number19Player nameSissoko
    Average rating

    3.33

  9. Squad number5Player nameTroost-Ekong
    Average rating

    3.30

  10. Squad number22Player nameSamir
    Average rating

    3.21

  11. Squad number14Player nameKamara
    Average rating

    3.19

  12. Squad number7Player nameKing
    Average rating

    3.11

  13. Squad number39Player nameKayembe
    Average rating

    3.04

  14. Squad number23Player nameSarr
    Average rating

    2.99

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Comments

Join the conversation

These comments are now closed.

339 comments

  • Comment posted by RW, at 17:03 7 May

    We are not good enough to be in the Premiership and until we stop replacing our manager every 3 months, we never will be.

    • Reply posted by YourLongAgoTitles, at 17:10 7 May

      YourLongAgoTitles replied:
      Agreed. If you're changing managers that often, the problem likely is not with the managers alone. Bad ownership, no organizational theme.

      IMO they'd be best off with a young manager who's going to be given at least two years to build something, rather than the patch-up roster they have now.

  • Comment posted by Lady Penelope, at 17:11 7 May

    Well done Eagles 😊. For a team that hasn't spent a fortune you have done really well.

    A number of journalists thought you would be where Everton are. Glad you have proved them wrong.
    Vieira has done wonders at Palace and has the respect of his players.

    YNWA ❤ ❤

    • Reply posted by Sheff, at 18:39 7 May

      Sheff replied:
      Cheers Pen. Good luck in the Cup Final; both of them!

  • Comment posted by beatles63, at 17:04 7 May

    Happy retirement Roy !

    • Reply posted by HowNowMarkFrancois, at 18:15 7 May

      HowNowMarkFrancois replied:
      He retired after he left Palace.

  • Comment posted by chris, at 18:08 7 May

    If it wasn't for Roy Hodgeson palace wouldn't be in the premier league. He turned certain relegation into survival & then built on that. Ok not the most attacking football but it worked got players working for him and under Vierra reaping the benefits.
    Enjoy your retirement Roy and thank you.

    • Reply posted by Sirrantsalot, at 22:36 7 May

      Sirrantsalot replied:
      Palace were in the PL for 4 years before Roy. De boer was shocking but it didn't take much to turn it around given the players we had.

      Solid manager but not a miracle worker, cod he didn't need to be.

  • Comment posted by jambo1, at 17:08 7 May

    Sad that a very good manager and person is retiring from the game he has served so well. ALL the best Roy.

    • Reply posted by We are just checking this comment, at 17:10 7 May

      We are just checking this comment replied:
      'Very good manager'??? Bang average you mean.

  • Comment posted by Knighton Palace, at 17:07 7 May

    Glad we have got going again after the semi defeat to Chelsea, a good strong finish always boads well for next season, we have had a great first season under our new manager, better football, more goals, looking good for the Palace !

  • Comment posted by Mark, at 17:12 7 May

    Congratulations to Watford and Norwich for securing their parachute payments and guaranteeing promotion next May.

    • Reply posted by ET, at 17:18 7 May

      ET replied:
      What happened at Brammall Lane then this season?

  • Comment posted by Zed, at 17:17 7 May

    Been pretty much a dead set certainty since well before Xmas our lads are a shocking side this season. Well done Palace never got near you all day and showed no fight at all could have been 4 or 5 easily.

  • Comment posted by All things are happening, at 17:49 7 May

    Glad we got the 3 points, just unfortunate that a Roy Hodgson managed team was relegated by this. Thankful for him keeping Palace in the premiership.

    I am happy also with the footie we are playing now, just giving credit to our past manager.

  • Comment posted by dougie, at 17:35 7 May

    I'm a Watford season ticket holder. I hate the way we're run, I hate the abysmal manager and transfer policy, I hate the fact we bung the agent Mogi Bayat millions for rubbish players, I hate how we've assembled a team with no fight or interest, I hate Ben Foster and him being more interested in YouTube, I hate how we prepared for and executed this season so badly.

    • Reply posted by Sim, at 17:40 7 May

      Sim replied:
      Foster was your best player today, if it wasn't for him then it would have been a very different scoreline. He showed more fight and professionalism than any other of the Watford players

  • Comment posted by Tony, at 17:37 7 May

    Perhaps it's the club owners who need relegating. Graham Taylor must be turning in his grave.

    • Reply posted by Paul H, at 18:22 7 May

      Paul H replied:
      Maybe rephrase that “Turnip in his grave”

  • Comment posted by iton, at 17:26 7 May

    Unlucky Watford.

    With 18 managers in ten years it must be quite tough for their fans in being able to get an affinity with their team and understanding what it is they are trying to do as a club other than yoyo between leagues for the benefit of the owners presumably.

    • Reply posted by rico the third, at 17:38 7 May

      rico the third replied:
      Makes for a good pub quiz though. Name all the Watford managers (with correct spellings)

  • Comment posted by MarkJ2222, at 17:41 7 May

    Congratulations firstly to Palace who have an incredible front 5 with lots of youth coming through. We’ve had our battles but alas my team rightly goes down. When I watched 44,000 at Sunderland last night for a league 1 play off final, us fans of smaller clubs should be grateful to have time at the top table. Humility is a great trait but unfortunately others enjoy mocking. It met your turn next.

  • Comment posted by Richard, at 18:59 7 May

    Viera doing a great job with a modestly acquired, well scouted, tactically astute young team!

  • Comment posted by Stevie, at 17:41 7 May

    I would like to know the thought process behind sacking a bright young manager in Xisco Munoz who got Watford off to a reasonable start and then replacing him with not 1 but 2 managers of pensionable age who know nothing about relegation battles Money can’t buy you brains I suppose

    • Reply posted by sabre84, at 18:01 7 May

      sabre84 replied:
      Wasn't Hodgson in a relegation battle in his first season at Fulham? What about his 2nd season at WBA?

  • Comment posted by just-for-fun, at 17:03 7 May

    Roy should have a much better retirement life at home, his passion into football to try save Watford, respect!!!

    • Reply posted by Sportsfan200, at 17:05 7 May

      Sportsfan200 replied:
      Watford are unsavable unfortunately.

  • Comment posted by Happy Hornet, at 19:00 7 May

    Congratulations on a great season Palace ….. spent little but got a great manager in to drive the club forwards.

    We clearly need to heed some lessons from the likes of Brighton, Leeds, West Ham, Wolves and yourselves …. All of whom have proven they can produce consistent performances at this level.

    Hopefully we will get another chance in two or three years time.

    Watford fan

  • Comment posted by Letemaveit, at 17:11 7 May

    Another club suffering from a poor board. It’s the fans that have suck it up. Chin up Hornets, perhaps the board have learnt a lesson and stick with the next manager.

    • Reply posted by topo, at 17:30 7 May

      topo replied:
      Sadly for Watford, their owners not ‘fit for purpose’.

  • Comment posted by Toffee76, at 17:05 7 May

    We might be joining you guys soon

    • Reply posted by transpol3008, at 18:44 7 May

      transpol3008 replied:
      No we won’t!

  • Comment posted by VanImpe, at 17:38 7 May

    Watford need more French, Belgian and German players to be a top English side.

    • Reply posted by Underground, at 18:21 7 May

      Underground replied:
      No way.