Watford welcomed Tottenham Hotspur in what, a bit surprisingly, looked like the derby of the fourth round of the 2018/19 Premier League season. The reason was simple – both teams had won all three of their previous games bagging the maximum of nine points.

It may seem surprising when it comes to Watford, but the Hornets actually started last season in style too. They lost only one of their opening eight games in 2017/18 – to the eventual league winners Manchester City, while walking away with a point against Liverpool and all three against Arsenal in that time. Spurs on the other hand came into this encounter fresh from the destruction of Old Trafford where they tore Manchester United apart last week, having already beaten Newcastle and Fulham.

The Afterthought

This game was a proper Premier League delight from a neutral point of view. A very good example of why it is considered by many to be the toughest league in the world. It’s the ability of a team like Watford to come back into the contest against an opponent of undoubtedly higher quality having gone a goal down, turn it around and deservedly win, that makes this league what it is.

It’s now four out of four for the Hornets, and they unexpectedly join Liverpool and Chelsea in maintaining a 100% record. Manager Javi Gracia will certainly be pleased with this excellent foundation to a good season at the Vicarage Road.

Meanwhile, it’s back to the drawing board for Pochettino. However, Spurs shouldn’t allow this defeat to hurt them too much in the long run. Three out of four is still a very good output, and they now need to make sure they lift their heads and go back to their usual winning ways in the next game. There’s one problem though – it’s Liverpool who they face next.

Match Report

WATFORD: Foster 7, Kabasele 7, Cathcart 7.5, Janmaat 7, Holebas 8, Doucoure 7.5, Capuoe 7, Hughes 7 (85′ Chalobah N/A), Pereyra 8 (90′ Mariappa N/A), Gray 7.5 (70′ Success 7), Deeney 8.5.

SPURS: Vorm 7, Sanchez 8, Alderweireld 8 (81′ Llorente 6), Verthongen 7.5, Dembele 6.5 (86′ Winks N/A), Eriksen 7, Trippier 7, Davies 7 (89′ Rose N/A), Alli 8, Moura 7.5, Kane 6.5.

GOALS: Doucoure (OG) 53′, Deeney 69′, Cathcart 76′.

YELLOW CARDS: Capoue 52′, Dembele 68′, Success 90’+1.

RED CARDS: None.

REFEREE: Andre Marriner.