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Watford keep their survival hopes alive
WATFORD, England (AFP) - Watford boosted their slender chances of avoiding relegation with a 4-2 win over Portsmouth on Monday.
Adrian Boothroyd's side won for just the fourth time in the Premiership this season thanks to a double strike from Hameur Bouazza and goals from Gavin Mahon and Tamas Priskin.
Matt Taylor had given Portsmouth an early lead but Harry Redknapp's team showed no stomach for a fight against battling Watford and Arnold Mvuemba's late goal was no consolation for the visitors.
Watford, eight points from safety, are still likely to suffer a quick a return to the Championship after just one season in English football's top division.
But this victory at Vicarage Road, the first time they had come from behind to win this season, at least gave them a glimmer of hope that they can mount a great escape in their remaining five matches.
Portsmouth arrived still on a high after their win over Premiership leaders Manchester United on Saturday and they were quickly into their stride. They took the lead in the 16th minute through Taylor, who followed up his goal against United with a fine finish.
He controlled Gary O'Neil's pass 25 yards out and, as Watford's defenders backed off, he had time to look up and assess his options before curling a shot past Hornets keeper Ben Foster.
But Watford are nothing if not determined and the FA Cup semi-finalists snatched an equaliser after 27 minutes.
Priskin provided the opportunity by winning a penalty when he stumbled under Djimi Traore's challenge after cutting in from the byline.
The contact was minimal but referee Lee Mason had no doubts and pointed to the spot. After a debate among the Watford players over who should take the penalty, Bouazza stepped up to send David James the wrong way.
Watford looked dead and buried after losing 4-1 at Middlesbrough on Saturday but they were visibly lifted by their equaliser here.
They pushed Portsmouth back and went ahead through Mahon's stunning strike on the stroke of half-time.
James punched Tommy Smith's cross out to the edge of the area, but Mahon latched on to the loose ball and drove a fierce half-volley back past the Portsmouth keeper for his first goal of the season.
There was no let-up by Watford after the interval and they extended their lead with a well-worked goal after 51 minutes.
Bouazza slipped a pass to Steve Kabba on the left wing and the striker whipped in a cross to the far post, where Priskin sent his shot back past James into the opposite corner.
Bouazza got his second in the 73rd minute when he played a one-two with Kabba and beat James from close range at the second attempt.
Mvuemba got one back for Portsmouth with his first goal following his loan move from Rennes. The French midfielder turned and lashed a shot into the roof of the net after 81 minutes, but there was never any chance of a late comeback.
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