Stoke City scored an impressive 2-1 win over Watford at Vicarage Road on Saturday.
The Potters hit the front in the 18th minute when the hard-working Jon Walters scored his first Premier League goal in two months.
The Republic of Ireland international got on the end of a fierce cross from Phil Bardsley to coolly slot beyond Heurelho Gomes.
Stoke's led was doubled six minute into the second half when Walters neatly volleyed Gomes' botched goal-kick into the path of Joselu who produced a deft lofted finish over the head of the Watford keeper.
The Hornets pulled one back in the 86th minute when captain Troy Deeney diverted home Ikechi Anya's cross following a tricky run from the winger.
However, the damage had already been done as Mark Hughes' side moved up to eighth on the table while Quique Sanchez Flores' outfit lost for the third straight game to drop to 14th.
MATCH OVERVIEW
Watford: 1 (Troy Deeney 86')
Stoke City: 2 (Jon Walters 18', Joselu 51')
Vicarage Road, Watford - 20,759
TALKING POINTS
- Stoke now just five points off the top four. Can they sneak into a Euro spot or will they be happy with a top-half finish?
- Watford on a poor run of late but their positive results prior have them in a strong position to avoid the drop. Are they focused on the FA Cup?
WHAT'S NEXT?
Watford next take on Arsenal on April 2 as Stoke prepare for the visit of Swansea on the same date.
TWITTER INSIGHT
Yesss!! Important 3 points today!! Good work from the whole team!! Congrats for the goal mate!! pic.twitter.com/EHhsOD657F
— Marc Muniesa (@muniesa92) March 19, 2016
pic.twitter.com/wHcF8jEoWM
— Joselu Mato (@JoseluMato9) March 20, 2016
QUOTES CORNER
Watford's Flores on the result and the FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace:
"We created chances in the final third of the game. But in the first half we were not completely focused. We forgot the plan.
"We don't play again in the FA Cup for a month. I don't think the players are thinking about the semi-final, and if they are it would be a big mistake."
Stoke boss Hughes on the performance of Walters:
"I spoke to Jonathan earlier in the week and told him he was playing.
"You could tell from the start that he was focused and ready to make an impact. He's not been playing for the last few weeks but he came in to good effect."
STATS SPECIALS
*Thanks to Opta
23 - 23 of Watford's 30 Premier League goals this season have been scored by either Odion Ighalo or Troy Deeney (77%). Reliant.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 19, 2016
