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Watford climb out of relegation zone with 3-0 win at Bournemouth

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Watford climbed above Bournemouth and out of the relegation zone for the first time this season after a convincing victory over the Cherries at the Vitality Stadium.

Abdoulaye Doucoure capitalised on an error by Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers to fire home the opener from six yards shortly before half-time.

Hornets captain Troy Deeney then doubled Watford’s advantage midway through the second half with a powerful close-range effort after Ismaila Sarr’s cross fell into this path.

Substitute Roberto Pereyra completed the win in stoppage time with a fierce volley after Andre Gray’s shot had been cleared off the line by Ryan Fraser.

The win means Watford have now collected 13 points from six Premier League matches since Nigel Pearson’s appointment last month.

Bournemouth, in contrast, have now lost nine of their last 11 Premier League matches to drop to second bottom and leave manager Eddie Howe under increasing pressure.

Nigel Pearson’s side pressed high up the pitch early on as Bournemouth attempted to play out from the back, forcing mistakes that created two early opportunities for Sarr and Gerard Deulofeu that were well saved by Travers.

Travers was making his first Premier League start of the season in the absence of the injured Aaron Ramsdale and it was his error shortly before the break that led to the opener.

The 20-year-old, under pressure from Deulofeu, gave the ball straight to Sarr on the edge of the area. The Senegal winger then crossed into the six-yard box for Doucoure, who took a touch before blasting the ball into the roof of the net for his second goal in as many matches.

As Bournemouth committed more men forward in the second half Watford looked to hit on the counter, with Sarr and Doucoure combining for Deulofeu to slice wide shortly after the restart.

They deservedly grabbed their second on 65 minutes when Sarr’s cross was deflected into the path of Deeney, who drove powerfully into the corner beyond an unmoved Travers.

Deeney and Deulofeu both went close as Bournemouth became increasingly ragged, with Pereyra wrapping up a fine win with virtually the last kick of the game.

“The boys and the gaffer have gotta take credit,” says Troy Deeney bashfully. “We’ve hit rock bottom a few times this season”.

Bournemouth are now second-bottom with 20 points from 22 games; Watford have 22 from 22, while between them, Villa have 21 from 21, and they play Manchester City in 36 minutes’ time.

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