Troy Deeney leads Watford to win over Everton

Troy Deeney struck a superb winner as Watford edged to a 1-0 win over Everton at Vicarage Road.

The Hornets skipper thundered a rising shot into the corner 11 minutes from time to light up what had been a match devoid of any real quality.

It was his fourth league goal of the campaign and a first in open play that could well prove to be significant for Javi Gracia's team's survival hopes.

Chances had been at a premium at both ends, with the visitors particularly toothless as their disappointing run on the road stretched to just one win in 22 league matches.

The result means Sam Allardyce's men remain ninth while Watford rise up to 10th, six points clear of the dropzone.

A tough watch. This one has to be right up there as one of the worst top-flight spectacles of the season. Everton have shipped goals for fun on their travels recently, so it was perhaps no surprise to see Allardyce go back to basics and look to keep it tight. Watford were tentative with Deeney often left to feed on scraps. Gracia deserves credit for some positive substitutions which gave his side a much-needed injection of urgency, and they nicked it to pick up three priceless points from a match that won't linger long in anyone's memory.

Troy Deeney (Watford). Produced the one moment of magic and worked hard up front despite very little service.

WATFORD: Karnezis 7, Janmaat 7, Mariappa 7, Prodl 7, Holebas 7; Doucoure 7, Capoue 6, Deulofeu 6, Pereyra 5, Richarlison 5, Deeney 7. Subs: Femenia 7, Okaka 7, Carrillo 6.EVERTON: Pickford 6, Martina 6, Williams 6, Keane 7, Kenny 6, Davies 7, Gueye 6, Rooney 5, Sigurdsson 5, Walcott 5, Niasse 5. Subs: Tosun 7, Bolasie n/a, Calvert-Lewin n/a.

48' - WATFORD CHANCE! Prodl meets Deulofeu's left-wing corner but can't keep his thumping header down.

52' - EVERTON CHANCE! Gueye's deep cross from the right is met by Keane, who guides just wide. It looked like he was knocking that down towards Davies, but he could and probably should have gone for goal there.

79' - WATFORD CHANCE! Pickford kicks it straight at Deeney. Femenia picks it up and drives into the right of the area but sees his low drive well saved by Pickford. Deeney was screaming for a cutback which would have given him a tap-in.

79' - GOAL! Watford 1-0 Everton. Deeney takes a pass from the right and thunders a stunning drive into the top corner from inside the area.

87' - WATFORD CHANCE! Super save! Okaka spins his man brilliantly before flashing in a scorching low drive that Pickford just about pushes to safety.

Deeney scored a goal from open play for the first time in his last 27 Premier League games (v West Brom April 2017).