19th August, 2018
Andre Gray struck on his return to Burnley as Watford scored an away goal for the first time since January to continue their winning start to the Premier League season.
Gray, who left Turf Moor to join the Hornets in August 2017, produced a brilliant volley from Troy Deeney’s cross in the first three minutes – their first goal on their travels since Javi Gracia was appointed head coach.
Burnley, who beat Istanbul Basaksehir in their Europa League third qualifying round tie on Thursday, equalised just three minutes later as James Tarkowski headed his first goal for the club.
But Watford scored twice in the opening six minutes of the second half to secure victory – captain Deeney hitting his first goal since March by latching on to Abdoulaye Doucoure’s perfectly weighted pass and Will Hughes firing home the third when he collected Burnley defender Matt Lowton’s loose pass and drove home from outside the area.
BBC reports that with 20 minutes remaining, Sam Vokes almost scored with his first touch after coming on as a substitute for Burnley, heading narrowly wide as Ben Foster scrambled to his bottom corner.
However visitors Watford, who defeated Brighton 2-0 last weekend, finished the superior side as their opponents – playing their sixth competitive match in 25 days – failed to find a route back into the match.