Saint Marlon to the rescue

Back to winning ways after the humiliation of the QPR defeat, here`s a new years promise we`ll all be desperate to keep as the Golden Boys trounced Southampton 3-0. In fact, was it ever in doubt? Everytime Aidy`s boys have come up against Southampton, the Horns have been victors, scoring three goals.

Watford were by no means at their best, but, as one of the oldest and most overused adages goes, the sign of a good team is one that wins playing badly as well as playing well.

King and Henderson were re-united up top and the manager`s decision was justified as both notched second half goals. Of the duo, Henderson came closest in the first half as he tonked a header off the bar with Kelvin Davis scrambling to get to it.

Dan Shittu, also returning to the starting eleven, had Watford`s other best chance as he sent a looping header from a corner narrowly over.

Southampton looked menacing on the break and like all teams other than the Golden Boys, knocked the ball around nicely, it was their intelligent play that caused a few problems in the first forty-five but with Dan and Jay at the back, things were solid, even Stewart made a couple of crucial interventions.

And, just after the board went up to announce two minutes of stoppage time, the man I personally had been slagging off, Damien Francis, notched. Tommy Smith - once again the Hornets main outlet going forward crossed for the Jamaican to slam home on the half-volley.

Half-time: 0-1

Just ten second half minutes had passed and Marlon King put himself squarely back in the shop window with a wonderful strike. Watford broke quickly, King releasing Jobi McAnuff who was fouled on the edge of the area. Up stepped Marlon King, brushing aside Stewart`s claim to the free kick and sending it beyond Davis into the top left-hand corner.

The third followed just seven minutes later as Henderson controlled a high ball on his chest superbly, holding off the defender and powering past Kelvin Davis to make it three nil. Cue mass exodus from the home fans and delirium from the Watford supporters.

In truth Watford were poor after that; they defended well but offered little going forward allowing Southampton to believe they had a passage back into the game. Jason Euell tested Richard Lee with a thunderous volley, Lee behind it all the way to make a diving save.

Bradley Wright Phillips came the closest however as he beat Lee with a low drive but before he could turn in celebration the shot rebounded squarely off the post to be cleared by a yellow shirt.

Full-time: 0-3

Was this really the same Watford who got beaten by QPR or has Aidy been wheeling and dealing already?!

Southampton
Davis; Thomas, Bennett, Davies, Wright; Viafara, Safri (c), Euell, Surman; Wright Phillips and John.

Referee: Mr F Graham

Tommy Smith
Made two good saves, other than that, a virtual spectator bar the odd cross. Bit out of sorts of late. Captains performance, strong in the air and in the tackle, exemplary. Done everything he needed to. Shame he's going to Africa soon. The expected couple of slices aimlessly into touch, but not bad. Worked hard to beat Jermaine Wright, but had the beating of him and made the opener. 'Cheif Donkey' scored the opener and looked improved from QPR in the 2nd half. The boy covers some ground - a real team player, happy to play football too. Out of the game in the first period but improved in the second. Great goal, team display and looked less tubby. Great goal. King and Hendo are re-united successfully.

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