Tom Cleverley celebrated his first match in interim cost of Watford with three factors because of a hard-fought 1-0 win in opposition to strugglers Birmingham.
Emmanuel Dennis’ Forty fourth-minute strike, following an error from the house aspect, proved sufficient for Watford to go away St Andrew’s with most factors.
The Hornets steer additional away from the relegation zone and depart Birmingham embedded within the battle to remain up.
Blues made a shiny begin to the match, making use of early stress on the Watford defence, and Koji Miyoshi dragged vast the hosts’ first probability of the match.
Ethan Laird then narrowly flicked over Juninho Bacuna’s near-post nook earlier than Bacuna discovered area within the penalty space and had a goal-bound shot blocked.
An energised Birmingham aspect continued to press for the breakthrough and Bacuna once more had a shot blocked contained in the penalty space when properly positioned.
Watford managed to momentarily threaten the Blues purpose when Tom Dele-Bashiru curled a left-footed effort over the crossbar.
A second nook usual one other probability for the hosts as Daniel Bachmann was compelled to dive throughout his purpose line and declare an Emanuel Aiwu header.
Birmingham had been the masters of their very own downfall as they gifted Watford the opening purpose.
Aiwu couldn’t management Cody Drameh’s throw-in throughout his personal penalty space and Dennis bought the higher of the defender earlier than ending ruthlessly previous John Ruddy.
The purpose lifted the guests and Dennis compelled Ruddy into a wise low save to disclaim the striker a fast second purpose earlier than half-time.
Watford began the second half the brighter of the 2 sides and Lee Buchanan needed to clear a Mattie Pollock effort off the road earlier than Yaser Asprilla’s shot was cleared over the crossbar.
Birmingham managed to get again into the ascendency and Ivan Sunjic had a great probability to attract the hosts degree.
Jay Stansfield drove ahead and Sunjic picked up the free ball within the penalty space however sliced a shot vast from shut vary.
Blues continued to seek for an equaliser and Bachmann made a superb save to beat away Miyoshi’s drive at purpose after an preliminary effort from Aiwu was blocked.
Substitute Vakoun Bayo practically made an immediate impression for the guests as his stretching shot flashed throughout Ruddy’s purpose and vast.
Miyoshi spurned one other alternative for the hosts as they continued to use the stress on the Watford defence.
Tyler Roberts had a late probability on purpose, however Bachmann bought down properly to save lots of and protect the factors for the guests.
The managers
Birmingham’s Mark Venus:
To comply with…
Watford’s Tom Cleverley:
To comply with…