February 28 2009

Jose Fonte

Crystal Palace's play-off hopes were dealt another blow as Watford ran out 2-0 winners at Vicarage Road.

As Neil Warnock's men sought revenge for last month's FA Cup defeat, the Hornets created the first chance as new signing Don Cowie saw his effort thwarted by Matt Lawrence.

Alan Lee went close for the Eagles before Watford opened the scoring in the 22nd minute.

Grzegorz Rasiak flicked on to Cowie, who beat the Palace's static offside trap to surge towards goal in acres of space and he slotted past Julian Speroni from the edge of the box.

Neil Danns had two half chances for the visitors, while Cowie missed a good opportunity in the 70th minute when he somehow fired his shot from Tommy Smith's cross straight at Speroni with the goal at his mercy.

Two minutes later, he had a hand in Watford's second goal. The Scot robbed Clint Hill in the right-side corner and set up Jobi McAnuff, who saw his strike saved by Speroni, but defender Jose Fonte bundled the ball into this own net under pressure.

Rasiak almost made it three but Watford ended the game with all three points thanks to another abject Eagles display.

Watford: Loach, Mariappa, DeMerit (Harley 57), Mike Williamson, Doyley, Cork, Cowie, McAnuff, Jenkins, Rasiak (Hoskins 88),Smith.

Not Used: Lee, Hoyte, Lee Williamson.

Palace: Speroni, Clyne, Lawrence, Jose Fonte, Hill, Danns, Butterfield, Ifill (Rui Fonte 84), Oster (Hills 84), Scowcroft (Scannell 73), Lee.

Not Used: Ertl, Comley.

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