Millwall underlined their promotion potential with an emphatic victory at
Vicarage Road to send Watford crashing to their first league defeat in eight
games.
Gianluca Vialli's men were torn apart as Millwall claimed all three points in
clinical fashion.
The Hornets hit the post through Tommy Smith after 23 minutes but otherwise
were rarely a threat until Heidar Helguson scored a consolation nine minutes
from time.
Millwall could have been ahead when a missed header by Ramon Vega bounced in
front of Tim Cahill but he shot straight at Alec Chamberlain.
Vega, who received a booking in each half, was given his marching orders in
injury time to add to Watford's woes.
Cahill was not to be frustrated long. After 31 minutes he met Steven Reid's
cross with a firm header into the Watford net.
Home keeper Chamberlain then saved from Reid just before the interval but the
visitors doubled their lead 13 minutes into the second half.
A half-cleared free-kick fell to Marc Bertram whose shot was blocked and
Richard Sadlier picked up the loose ball, resisted a couple of challenges and
fired home.
After 68 minutes Watford were caught by a quick counter-attack which saw Reid
running clear before driving the ball low between Chamberlain's legs.
Substitute Nordin Wooter, who had seen a header tipped over the bar earlier,
set up a consolation goal for Watford and Helguson drove the ball in low from 12
yards.
However Millwall scored a fourth a minute from time when Neil Harris was
allowed to come inside and call a shot beyond Chamberlain from just inside the
penalty area.
Then Vega fouled Sadlier to receive a second yellow card to complete a woeful
day for Vialli and company.
Teams:
Watford: Chamberlain, Blondeau, Issa (Wooter 62), Vega,
Robinson (Cox 26), Fisken, Vernazza, Nielsen, Gayle,
Smith (Noel-Williams 62), Helguson.
Subs Not Used: Baardsen, Hyde.
Sent Off: Vega (90).
Booked: Helguson, Nielsen, Vega, Gayle.
Goals: Helguson 82.
Millwall: Warner, Lawrence, Nethercott, Dyche, Ryan, Reid,
Cahill, Bircham, Livermore, Sadlier, Claridge (Harris 87).
Subs Not Used: Ward, Gueret, Green, Bull.
Booked: Bircham.
Goals: Cahill 32, Sadlier 59, Reid 69, Harris 90.
Att: 15,300
Ref: C Foy (St Helens).
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