West Ham	0 - 1	Watford
Booked Davenport 12 Spector 67 Benayoun 76 Reo-Coker 90	Half Time ( 0 - 1 )	Scorers Henderson (pen) 12  Booked Mariappa 75 Ashikodi 90

Watford repeated their F.A Cup heroics at Upton Park last month with a first away win in the Premiership against West Ham. In a tale of two penalties, Darius Henderson scored to put the Hornets ahead after 12 minutes but Marlon Harewood missed his spot kick in the second half as the Hammers fell to another embarrassing defeat.

Alan Curbishley’s side had their chances but both Harewood and Zamora were wasteful in front of goal whilst Ben Foster was in inspired form in the Watford goal.

It was a frustrating afternoon for the Hammers and it began disastrously with just 12 minutes gone. Darius Henderson, who had not scored a single Premiership goal in the league until this game, was pulled down in the box by Anton Ferdinand to give Watford a chance from the spot.

Despite the brief delay in between the award of the penalty and the actual spot kick being taken, Henderson showed remarkable composure for a striker that had not scored in so long as he slotted the ball past Green with ease.

That goal was to prove decisive despite the best efforts of the home side. Both Matt Etherington and Calum Davenport came close whilst Bobby Zamora missed the target on two occasions after carelessly lifting the ball over the Watford crossbar.

The Hammers continued to battle and Yossi Benayoun saw his effort wonderfully pushed away by Watford’s England goalkeeper.

The Hornets battled valiantly in the second half and not even the introduction of Carlos Tevez in place of Zamora could unlock the Watford defence.

Tevez did go close with a curling free-kick but the Argentine then treated the Upton Park crowd to a glimpse of genius as he took the ball around Foster and just as he looked like notching his first goal for his new club, Tevez could only watch in horror as Mackay got back to deflect his effort off the line to safety.

If West Ham fans were already thinking that it wasn’t to be there day then they were in left with little doubt just minutes later.

Nigel Reo-Coker was upended in the Watford penalty area by Mahon but Marlon Harewood could only scuff his spot kick wide of the post much to the dismay of Alan Curbishley.

The late onslaught that Watford may have been expecting never really materialised and although Tevez went close towards the death with a stinging effort that flashed wide, Watford survived to record their first away win of the season and close the gap on both West Ham and Charlton.

Meanwhile, West Ham remain five points adrift of Wigan and after another frustrating afternoon for Alan Curbishley’s side, it appears that the Upton Park faithful could yet have some nervy moments to endure this season.


West Ham: Green, Neill (Spector 32), Ferdinand, Davenport, McCartney, Benayoun, Reo-Coker, Quashie (Boa Morte 80), Etherington, Harewood, Zamora (Tevez 46).

Subs Not Used: Carroll, Dailly.

Watford: Foster, Mariappa, DeMerit, Mackay, Stewart, Smith, Mahon, Francis, Cavalli (Bangura 75), Henderson (Shittu 90), Kabba (Ashikodi 79).

Subs Not Used: Priskin, Hoskins.

Att: 34,625

Ref: A Wiley (Staffordshire).

By James Masters