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A goal in each half was enough for Watford to take the points from a lively
mid-table encounter with Derby at Vicarage Road.
Michael Chopra grabbed his fifth goal in four league matches since joining the
Hornets on loan in March to give the home side the lead, before Neal Ardley
wrapped things up five minutes from time.
The Rams had enjoyed a mini-revival under temporary boss George Burley, with
three wins in four games since the former Ipswich chief took over early this
month ending lingering relegation fears.
Watford, meanwhile, went into the game looking to return to winning ways after
their FA Cup semi-final defeat to Southampton and 2-1 league loss at Bradford.
The last two matches between the two at Vicarage Road finished goalless, and a
scrappy start suggested it could be more of the same.
Jason Norville tried to end the goal drought with an early shot which tested
Rams keeper Lee Grant, while Paul Boertien fired weakly at Hornets stopper
Richard Lee from distance.
Chopra's goal came from the first noteworthy chance of the game midway through
the first half. Stephen Glass did well on the left, and his cross was
impressively volleyed home by the 19-year-old.
Ray Lewington's side turned the screw after the goal, with Glass forcing Grant
into a good save on 23 minutes with a swerving volley, and then another
ex-Newcastle man, Warren Barton, blocking Chopra's shot from close range after a
Neal Ardley corner.
Italian Fabrizio Ravanelli almost levelled 10 minutesfrom the break for Derby
with a rare piece of class, but his stunning left-foot shot from the edge of the
area was well tipped over by Lee.
Chopra almost doubled the lead just after the restart when his header from
Paul Robinson's cross just missed the right post.
Ex-Arsenal trainee Paulo Vernazza then saw a wonderful drive from the edge of
the area brilliantly saved by Grant
Craig Burley had a good chance to level for Derby with a right-foot volley
from 20 yards, but the former Scotland International could not beat Lee.
Watford sealed the points in the closing stages when Ardley blasted home after
collecting Anthony McNamee's pass from the left.
Teams
Watford Lee, Doyley, Gayle, Ifil, Robinson, Ardley, Hand,
Vernazza (Swonnell 86), Glass (McNamee 82), Norville,
Chopra (Fitzgerald 81).
Subs Not Used: Chamberlain, Jack Smith.
Goals: Chopra 18, Ardley 85.
Derby Grant, Barton (Mooney 45), Ritchie, Mills, Jackson,
Valakari (Lee 73), Burley, Bolder (Murray 54), Boertien,
Kinkladze, Ravanelli.
Subs Not Used: McLeod, Camp.
Att: 11,909
Ref: M Messias (N Yorkshire).
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