Watford and West Ham United faced off in their Premier League clash at Vicarage Road.
The Hornets came into the match in good form following their 2-0 victory over Stoke City. While, Slaven Bilic's men were flying high place after defeating Chelsea 2-1 in their last outing.
Quique Flores's men secured their second win on the bounce in the top flight as an error from Andy Carroll in the first half resulted in Aaron Cresswell putting the ball into his own net under pressure from Odion Ighalo.
The Nigerian notched his side's second goal after the break to seal the victory, while the Hammers ended the match with 10 men as James Collins was sent off late on.
Read how all the action unfolded in our commentary below.
2pmGood afternoon and welcome to the live commentary of the Premier League clash between Watford and West Ham United.
2.02pmThe Hornets have impressed since their arrival in the Premier League and have fared the best so far out of the three promoted clubs. Quique Flores's side's put in a solid display against Stoke City last week and came away from the Britannia Stadium thanks to strikes from Troy Deeney and Almen Abdi. The result moved Watford into 13th place and they will look to kick on further today.
2.06pmWest Ham have been the surprise package in the Premier League this season as they have performed above expectations to sit in third place after 10 matches. The Hammers defeated Chelsea 2-1 in their last outing tom solidify their place in the top four and have already produced victories over Manchester City and Arsenal already this season, so they will be eyeing the three points from their trip to Vicarage Road today.
2.09pmThe team news has been announced and we'll start with the home side.
2.13pmWATFORD STARTING XI: Gomes; Nyom, Cathcart, Britos, Ake; Capoue, Watson; Abdi, Deeney, Anya; Ighalo
Subs: Arlauskis, Prodl, Paredes, Behrami, Guedioura, Ibarbo, Diama
Subs: Arlauskis, Prodl, Paredes, Behrami, Guedioura, Ibarbo, Diama
2.15pmWEST HAM STARTING XI: Adrian; Jenkinson, Collins, Tomkins, Cresswell; Noble , Kouyate, Lanzini, Payet, Moses; Carroll
Subs: Randolph, Zarate, Valencia, O'Brien, Ogbonna, Jelavic, Antonio
Subs: Randolph, Zarate, Valencia, O'Brien, Ogbonna, Jelavic, Antonio
2.18pmFlores has named an unchanged team from his side that defeated Stoke last week. Odion Ighalo continues to lead the line for the Hornets, while Ikechi Anya, Abdi and Deeney offer support just in behind the frontman. Ben Watson and Etienne Capoue sit in front of the back four in defensive midfield roles, with Allan Nyom and Nathan Ake operate in the full-back positions. Craig Cathcart and Miguel Britos anchor the centre of defence for a team that has conceded just 10 goals this season.
2.23pmSlaven Bilic has been forced into making one change from his side that beat Chelsea last week. Diafra Sakho sustained an injury during training in the week, meaning match-winner Andy Carroll gets the start up front for the first time this season. The England international starts for the Hammers for the first time since February after a knee ligament injury ruled him out of the latter half of the last campaign. Elsewhere, Bilic sticks with the same formation with Carl Jenkinson, James Collins, James Tomkins and Aaron Cresswell in his back four, with Mark Noble and Cheikhou Kouyate in front of the defence. Dimitri Payet, Manuel Lanzini and Victor Moses play in just behind Carroll in attacking midfield roles.
2.25pmCarroll has credited Bilic for his role in helping him back to fitness this season, praising his attitude towards his training schedule.
"[Bilic] has been very good with me, he has understood that I was out for a long time," Carroll told Sky Sports News. "He hasn't forced me back into training, I've been doing training on my own schedule and maybe missing a day during the week. He's understood what I need, and he's been great.
"I would train every day after coming back from injury and play at the weekend [in the past]. Maybe that wasn't the best thing to do, but it's what I wanted and the manager wanted. To be honest, I still want that, but he has put a stop to it. I'll be in the gym while the lads train.
"Rushing back last season was hard on my body, and this season I have taken it easier. I have been training now for a good couple of months and I feel good. This is the longest I have had without being rushed back in. It's great to be back on the pitch - I had eight months in the gym by myself, and those were dark days."
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2.28pmSTAT ATTACK! Watford have won only one of the past 22 meetings between the teams.
2.31pmWatford defensive resilience has been key to their good start this season, but so have the goals of Odion Ighalo. The 26-year-old has netted five times in 10 matches, with his last strike coming against Bournemouth in his his side's 1-1 draw earlier in the month. It will be interesting to watch how the Nigerian plays throughout the course of the campaign, and if he can keep up his form to secure Watford's place in the Premier League.
2.34pmWest Ham's leading man in front of goal has been Dimitri Payet. The Frenchman has hit the ground running following his £12m move from Marseille. The 28-year-old has notched five goals in the Premier League, including two in his last three matches. A dangerman this afternoon for the Hornets to watch.
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2.40pmThe Sports Mole pundits have been airing their views on the clash, check out their thoughts in the video below.
2.43pmSTAT ATTACK! West Ham have the best away record in the Premier League this season, with four wins and one draw in their five matches.
2.46pmFlores has praised the performances of Deeney this season, who netted his first goal of the campaign in the win over Stoke.
He told BBC Sport: "For me, at this moment, Troy Deeney is really good. From the first moment in this league he played like a striker.
"Now he is settled, he has put in good performances. His impact on the team is very important. The teammates, they say, it's perfect for us because our strikers finally score."
2.48pmBilic has insisted that his side cannot get carried away by their impressive start to the season, but he believes that his team are more than capable of sustaining their good run.
He told the club's official website: "Well, it's been a good start and we are enjoying it but we are keeping our feet on the ground totally. It's only a start, but we are confident and if we continue to work hard, like we have been from day one, I don't see a reason why we should drop dramatically. "There will be ups and downs with results, that's football, but we are confident and we are gaining everything that is important: atmosphere, individual confidence, team bonding. Winning games is the best way of doing that. "The reason we are doing well is the quality of the players, the team spirit, our pattern of working hard, we are respecting the opponents but not fearing them. It is down to hard work with individual responsibility. It is very enjoyable so far."
2.50pmLAST MEETING! The last meeting between the sides finished in a 1-1 draw in their clash at Upton Park in the 2011-12 season, while earlier in the campaign the Hammers thrashed Watford 4-0 at Vicarage Road.
2.55pmThe players are making their way out on to the pitch at Vicarage Road. So we should be underway shortly.
1 minKICKOFF! We're underway at Vicarage Road.
2 minMoses collects the ball from Carroll down the right and surges down the wing at Ake. The winger cuts into the box and in an attempt to rifle a left-footed strike at goal, but Ake comes back at the Nigeria international to win the ball with an inch-perfect tackle in the area.
4 minCHANCE! Payet receives the ball and makes a neat turn past Capoue and raids towards the edge of the box. The Frenchman has Carroll in support, but he opts to fire a low right-footed effort at goal, only to see his strike saved by Gomes.
6 minWatford work the ball well down the right as Nyom and Anya link up down the right. Nyom sends a deep cross to the back post for Deeney, who rifles an effort at goal but his strike is blocked by Collins. The rebound comes out to Watson on the edge of the box, who lays it off to Capoue to spread it wide. Nyom has another chance to lift a cross into the box, but his delivery is poor and collected with ease by Adrian.
8 minPayet strides forward through the middle as West Ham break on a counter. The midfielder has Moses in space in the inside right channel, and he tries to thread a through ball into his path. However, his pass just has too much power to find Moses in stride and goes out for a goal kick.
10 minCHANCE & PENALTY SHOUT! Watford come close to taking the lead from a corner as Ake latches on to Watson's corner into the box, but his header is stopped on the line by Adrian. The ball comes out to Deeney, who rifles a volley at goal, but Carroll is there to block the strike. The Hornets go up in unison to claim a handball from the England international, but the referee waves away their appeals. It appeared to be head on to arm, which would have been harsh on Carroll.
13 minBoth teams have started the game well and appear to be well matched in their respective systems. West Ham are sitting back and looking to counter, while Watford are pressing the visitors in possession all over the pitch.
14 minWest Ham build through the midfield before the ball comes to Payet. He tries to link up with Moses by sending a pass into the right inside channel, but Britos gets a foot to the ball to clear the danger. The Hornets have been resolute at the back so far in the contest.
17 minWatford come forward as Capoue sends the ball into the feet of Anya. The winger twists and turns before attempting to send a through ball into the feet of Ighalo, who pulls off Collins. However, the Welshman reads the danger and makes the interception. An even contest so far at Vicarage Road.
20 minA long ball has Gomes in trouble as he tries to shepherd the ball out of play for a goal kick under pressure from Carroll, but the striker forces him to concede a throw in deep in Watford territory.
22 minDeeney shows his quality in the centre circle as he beats three players by using his strength. The ball travels to Ighalo, who gets past Collins and forces him to conceded a free kick. Solid play from the home side.
23 minCHANCE! Moses gets in behind Ake down the right and bears down on goal from a tight angle. The winger goes for the shot across the face of goal, but his effort misses the target and there is no player in claret and blue there to turn the ball home.
24 minCHANCE! Ighalo and Deeney link up in the final third and the Nigerian takes a neat touch to beat Cresswell down the left. Ighalo has options in the box, but opts to go for the shot himself and can only blast his effort into Collins. Abdi was unmarked at the back post and is not too happy with his teammate.
27 minCHANCE! Collins fouls Ighalo for the second time of the match, but goes unpunished by referee Keith Stroud. Watson sends his free kick into the box from the right and Britos rises highest in the area to head at goal, but his effort goes over the bar.
29 minCHANCE! Deeney releases the run of Anya down the right and the winger takes a touch into the box to take him clear of Tomkins. Adrian comes off his line to make the intervention and just does enough to make the block to deny Anya, although the ball does travel behind for a corner.
33 minAbdi steers the ball into the path of Ighalo in the area, but the ball hits the hand of Collins. The referee dismisses the claims for a penalty and Igahlo collects and drills an effort at goal from a tight angle, but Adrian makes the save. The rebound lands at the feet of Deeney on the edge of the box, who takes a touch to get the ball out of his feet, but Cresswell makes the vital block.
35 minWatford are taking the game to the Hammers this afternoon. They haven't been able to carve out a clear cut chance yet, but they are threatening the West Ham defence.
39 minGOAL! Watford 1-0 West Ham (Cresswell OG)
39 minNightmare for West Ham and Carroll as the forward makes a huge error in his own box to hand Watford the lead. Watson sent a free kick into the box and Carroll failed to make contact with his first clearance on the volley. He then faked clearing the ball with his left foot, attempting a turn inside the box, but Ake stole the ball from him. The left-back sent a low ball across the face of goal which travelled to the back post and Ighalo had a shot which deflected off Cresswell, who was powerless to stop his attempted clearance from finding the net.
41 minThe home side pressure the Hammers immediately and Anya wins the ball and tries to send Ighalo through over the top, but his pass just has too much power on it to find the forward behind the West Ham defence.
44 minCHANCE! West Ham win a free kick as Payet is fouled in the middle of the Watford half. Payet sends a free kick into the box and Kouyate rises highest to head the ball at goal, but his effort travels straight into Gomes's hands.
45 minThere will be one minute of added time.
45 + 1 minWatford put the pressure on from a corner and Carroll is forced to block an effort from Abdi from the edge of the box. Watson's cross from the right almost reaches Deeney at the back post, but West Ham manage clear the danger.
45 + 1 minHALF-TIME: Watford 1-0 West Ham
3.52pmWatford take a 1-0 lead into the break in their clash against the Hammers. The Hornets have been the better side in the first half and dominated the final 10 minutes, leading to the goal. Bilic will be furious with Carroll as his error inside his own box allowed Ake to pounce and send a low ball across the face of goal that was diverted into his own net by Cresswell after Ighalo had got a touch to the ball. West Ham will not be pleased with their display in the first half given their recent form, and the Croatian will be demanding more from his side's attacking players after the break.
3.55pmFlores will be delighted with his side's performance in the opening 45 minutes. The Hornets were resolute at the back, and although they didn't carve out many clear cut chances, Ake and Ighalo were clinical enough to seize on Carroll's mistake to fire their side into the lead. Flores will want to see more from his team in the final third in the second half.
4pmThe players are back out on the pitch, so we should be back underway shortly.
46 minRESTART! We're back underway at Vicarage Road.
46 minSUBSTITUTIONS: Mauro Zarate and Enner Valencia come on for the visitors to replace Manuel Lanzini and Victor Moses.
48 minGOAL! Watford 2-0 West Ham (Ighalo)
48 minWhat a start to the second half for Watford as Ighalo doubles their lead. Abdi releases the run of Anya down the left with an incisive through ball, and the winger sends the ball into the box for Ighalo. Tomkins gets there to try to clear the danger, but he misses the ball, allowing Ighalo to pounce and drill his left-footed strike into the top corner.
49 minCHANCE! Ighalo gets sent through down the left and has acres of space to break into the box with only Adrian to beat. He opens up his body to try to place the ball in the bottom corner, but the keeper made a good save low to his left.
51 minCHANCE! Watford work the ball across the edge of the box following good work from Abdi. The ball comes to Deeney, who has space and time to strike the ball at goal, but the forward can only scuff his strike past the post.
53 minAnya has space to break into the down the right wing and Ighalo races up the pitch to provide support. However, the cross from Anya sails over his head and forces the forward out wide. The ball comes back into the middle from Capoue, and Anya strikes the ball first time on the volley, but Cresswell makes an important block.
56 minWest Ham push forward with menace for the first time in the second half and Zarate gets down the right flank before sending a low cross into the box looking for Carroll, but Watson gets to the ball first to clear the danger.
58 minSHOT! Deeney feeds the ball into the path of Abdi down the right after collecting a pass from Capoue. Abdi tries to find the top corner with an effort from the edge of the box, but his strike sails narrowly over the bar.
60 minCHANCE! Payet has space to lift the ball into the box for the run of Carroll, who peels off his marker. The England international tries to take his effort first time on the volley, but he puts his strike past the post.
62 minPENALTY SHOUT! West Ham appeal for a penalty as Valencia goes down when Payet lifts a cross into the box from the right. Stroud is not convinced and awards a corner for the visitors, but the official does speak with Capoue and the forward after the Watford man came across to have words with Valencia after his tumble.
66 minYELLOW CARD! Nyom is the first player into the book as he wipes out Valencia inside the Watford half.
67 minSUBSTITUTION: Paredes replaces Anya for the home side in a defensive change by Flores.
69 minOFF THE POST! Valencia comes within inches of getting West Ham back into the match and he should have scored as he capitalised on an error from Cathcart, whose pass back to Gomes fell short of the keeper. The forward seized on the ball and hit his effort first time, only to see the ball clatter off the post. The rebound fell to Carroll, but he could not sort his feet out in time to get an effort away before Cathcart made a challenge and cleared. Huge let off for Watford and a poor miss from Valencia.
72 minGood defending from Cathcart as he atones from his mistake by beating Carroll in the air to head a dangerous cross from Jenkinson over his own bar at the back post. The England striker was lurking had the defender not made the clearance.
74 minSUBSTITUTIONS: Valon Behrami replaces Abdi for the home side, while Jelavic replaces Mark Noble for the the Hammers.
76 minWest Ham have thrown all their attacking players on from the bench. Bilic has gone all out to try and earn something from this game, knowing that his side will be left very open at the back.
79 minCollins makes a vital interception for the visitors as he cuts off Paredes's cutback for Britos in the box after the winger had made a surging run into the box. West Ham still alive in the contest.
81 minYELLOW CARD! Ake goes into the book for pulling back Kouyate.
82 minBehrami makes a surging run towards the edge of the box before he gets brought down by Jenkinson. The referee has time to think, but opts to wave play as he deemed that Jenkinson won the ball.
84 minRED CARD! Collins is sent for West Ham for a heavy challenge on Ighalo. It was a poor challenge and late on the striker after he had turned the Welshman.
84 minYELLOW CARD! James Tomkins goes into the book for an altercation off the ball in the aftermath of Collins's dismissal.
85 minSUBSTITUTION: Ighalo is withdrawn from the action following the heavy challenge as Adlene Guedioura replaces him.
88 minWatford are content to knock the ball around at the back for the final few minutes to see out their second victory on the spin. It has been a solid display from Flores's men this afternoon.
90 minThere will be five minutes of added time.
90 + 3 minCapoue lifts the ball over the top for Paredes, who is in a foot race with Cresswell. The defender does well to fend off the winger, and heads the ball back to his keeper. Adrian rushes out and the ball almost goes past him, but he manages to gather to save his side from conceding a third goal.
90 + 4 minCHANCE! Deeney comes close to adding a third goal as he latches on to Paredes's cross from the right, but Jenkinson gets a good block on the line to divert his header over the bar.
90 + 5 minFULL-TIME: Watford 2-0 West Ham United
4.55pmWatford secure their second win on the bounce in the Premier League to continue their solid start to the season. A mistake from Andy Carroll handed them their first goal as Nathan Ake seized on the ball as the striker attempted to turn in his own box, which resulted in Aaron Cresswell putting the ball in his own net. Odion Ighalo got the second goal for the home side with a fine strike minutes after the restart and it proved to be enough to hand Quique Flores's men the victory. Slaven Bilic will not be pleased with his team as they never got going in the contest, while Carroll endured a miserable return to the starting lineup. To make matters worse for the visitors James Collins will miss the next three games following his dismissal for a poor challenge on Ighalo. Nightmare afternoon for the Hammers.
5pmThanks for joining our commentary this afternoon. Until next time, goodbye.
