Watford 2 West Brom 0: WATCH HIGHLIGHTS – M’Baye Niang and Troy Deeney form deadly duo to burst Baggies bubble in top-ten chase

WATFORD’S deadly duo stung West Brom’s top-ten hopes with a dream double act from M’Baye Niang and Troy Deeney.

The Hornets raced into an early lead when skipper Deeney nodded the ball down to Niang on the left flank.

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The on-loan AC Milan star teased the Baggies defence before bending a brilliant right-foot shot past Ben Foster.

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And just four minutes after the break the roles were reversed as Niang put it on a plate for captain fantastic to finish.

Watford ace Miguel Britos was unlucky to be sent off for a second bookable offence by referee Paul Tierney but it failed to tarnish the classy win.

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Facts, stats, goals and lols...

• M'Baye Niang must have listened to Watford manager Walter Mazzarri who last week told him he needs to do more to secure a permanent move from AC Milan. He netted after 12 minutes.
• Troy Deeney was back after being on the bench following a virus against Sunderland on Saturday. He was on fire from the start, setting up Niang and then scoring himself.
• The Hornets were also boosted by the return of the influential defender Sebastian Prodl from an ankle injury although he signalled to come off just before half-time clutching his ribs. It could cause more injury woes especially with Younes Kaboul the latest to be on the treatment table with a hamstring problem which could rule him out for the rest of the season.

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• Watford's victory over Sunderland on Saturday was their sixth league win at Vicarage Road this season, equalling their tally from 2015-16. This is the first time they have won more than six in a top-flight season since 1986-87, when they managed 12 under Graham Taylor.
• The Hornets just keep chipping away, and keep popping up with a win when it looks like they might be sinking into trouble.
• West Brom barely had a sniff of the ball in the first half with Chris Brunt forcing Heurelho Gomes into an easy save from a weak effort.

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• The Baggies have now won just one of their last 10 away games in the Premier League (D4, L4).
• Top hitman Troy Deeney became the first Watford player to score in four consecutive Premier League home matches and took his tally to 106, fourth in the all-time list..
• This was the first home league win for the Hornets against the Baggies since November 1994.
• Miguel Britos was unlucky to be sent off for a second bookable offence by referee Paul Tierney.

What social said:

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Dream Team ratings:

West brom (4-3-3): Foster 5; Dawson 7, McAuley 6, Evans 5, Nyom 6; Livermore 5, Fletcher 6; Brunt 6, Chadli 6, McClean 6; Robson-Kanu 6.

Subs: Morrison 6, Phillips 6

Watfofd (4-2-3-1 ): Gomes 7; Cathcart 7, Prodl 6, Britos 5, Holebas 7; Doucoure 7, Cleverley 7, Capoue 7; Niang 8, Amrabat 6, Deeney 7.

Subs: Mariappa 6, Success 6, Janmaat 6

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What they said:

Watford manager Walter Mazzarri said: "I'm very happy for my team. The players played very well. It was a great game.

"I said before the game they were a good side and had two good results against Man United and Arsenal.

"It was a beautiful goal by Niang. Also the assist was good from Deeney."

West Brom manager Tony Pulis: "We gave two poor goals away. We still had chances and possessions. Chadli could come out another day with a hat-trick, so we are disappointed.

"The lads kept working but it wasn't our night. We needed a break and they had it."