Match Report: Watford 1 - Fulham 0

That's unfortunate. Fulham were beaten 1-0 by Watford at Vicarage Road this evening in what was a pretty even game.

Probably the best highlight of the night, the game was paused after just a minute when it was discovered that the ball was... deflated. Yep. Deflated. Anyway, after the game got back to normal, Ross McCormack was first to try his luck, his super-powered shot blocked by the Watford defence. While Fulham did have most of the possession in the early stages of the game, they found themselves in trouble when they conceded a corner. Almen Abdi took it, Craig Cathcart connected, and the ball seemed to land in front of Troy Deeney, the Watford captain slotting the ball in past Marcus Bettinelli.

The Whites did try and come back however, with McCormack again almost equalising on the 15 minute mark, his shot again being blocked, this time by Watford goalie Heurelho Gomes. Funnily enough for the next 13 minutes, nothing really happened shooting wise, until the 28th minute when Abdi's 25-yard low strike was easily caught by Bettinelli. In the 31st minute, Sean Kavanagh's cross was met by a header from Ryan Tunniclife, however that too was cleared before anyone could make anything of it. Abdi almost made it 2-0 for Watford when his 25-yard shot flew towards the net, however it missed by just a few inches. A header from Cauley Woodrow, assisted by Bryan Ruiz missed the net, as well as a very close attempt by Matej Vydra, which dinged the crossbar and was cleared to safety.

The second half saw Seko Fofana almost instantly booked for a challenge on Watford defender Daniel Pudil. A handball by Craig Cathcart was ignored by the referee, but then again, so was a barge on Vydra by our own Jazz Richards. Pudil was taken off for Miguel Layun, and Vydra for Odion Ighalo for the home side,  while Woodrow was taken off for Rodallega for the visitors. The second half was less lively than the first, though Fofana's effort on goal was deflected for a corner, which Shaun Hutchinson managed to head over the crossbar. Matt Smith came on in the 75th minute to replace Ruiz, as did Alex Kacaniklic for Kavanagh. Smith got on to a good start, sending a long ball to McCormack, who had his shot slapped away by Gomes.

Adlene Guedioura was given a yellow card when he barged into Kostas Stafylidis in the 82nd minute of the game.

Matt Smith managed to header a shot into the box, which Rodallega attempted to connect with an overhead kick, which, well, missed. Miguel Layun's shot from 20 yards out found it's way over the goal, and then Fernando Forestieri came on for Abdi. Fofana was fouled in the box in the 90th minute, though the penalty shout was ignored by the referee, instead giving a goal kick to Watford. Matt Smith missed a header and McCormack's shot was saved as time ticked away to a narrow defeat away from home.

Fulham will be involved in some end-of-week action when they face Bournemouth at home on Friday. COYW!