The spectre of relegation continues to hang over Turf Moor following Burnley's
defeat by Watford.
The crowd, who saw 11 goals in this encounter last season, had to be content
with a mere five this time, two of which came in the final six minutes.
Despite taking the lead through Mark McGregor, the Clarets went down courtesy
of Paul Devlin's penalty and second-half strikes from Heidar Helguson and Lee
Cook.
Although Dele Adebola responded within two minutes of Cook's goal, it was not
enough to prevent Burnley suffering their seventh home defeat of a rapidly
disintegrating season.
If seeing his side surrender a 30th-minute lead was not sufficiently
infuriating for Burnley boss Stan Ternent, the fact that fellow strugglers
Rotherham, Gillingham and Derby won is sure to have left him in a rage.
Given the spectacular last encounter - Watford won 7-4 almost a year to the
day - it was something of a surprise that Helguson's header, saved by Burnley
goalkeeper Brian Jensen, was the sole attempt on target in the opening quarter
of an hour.
Burnley's stuttering start was not helped by the withdrawal of Paul Weller
through injury after just 16 minutes - Lenny Johnrose was his replacement - and
Helguson tested Jensen with a long-range effort shortly after.
Two corners in quick succession, and a Graham Branch free-kick which came back
off the wall, were the sum of Burnley's attacking threat until McGregor opened
the scoring.
A deep corner from the left was headed back across the goal by Ian Moore, and
McGregor had the simple task of nodding the ball over the line from close range.
It was the defender's first goal since November 2002.
Watford, for whom Helguson continued to look the most dangerous player, got
the equaliser their dominance deserved six minutes before the break.
Devlin fell under Branch's mistimed tackle in the area - a challenge which
earned the defender a yellow card - but climbed to his feet and fired low to
Jensen's right from the spot.
The interval did little to improve Burnley's fluency, and Helguson fired
Watford ahead in the 55th minute, latching on to Mahon's long clearance before
placing the ball beyond Jensen for his third goal in five match.
Micah Hyde sent a shot over the crossbar before Cook doubled Watford's
advantage six minutes from time with a low drive from the left side of the
penalty area.
Burnley's revival, which peaked when Adebola headed home two minutes later,
came too late to prevent Watford registering only their second win away from
home in 11 attempts.
Teams
Burnley Jensen, Roche, Branch, McGregor, Camara, Little,
Wood (Chadwick 20), Grant, Weller (Johnrose 16), Blake,
Ian Moore, Chadwick (Adebola 54).
Subs Not Used: Alan Moore, Abbey.
Booked: Branch, Blake.
Goals: McGregor 30, Adebola 86.
Watford Chamberlain, Baird, Gayle, Dyche, Mayo, Devlin, Hyde,
Mahon, Cook (Vernazza 88), Helguson, Bouazza.
Subs Not Used: Ardley, Dyer, Doyley, Pidgeley.
Goals: Devlin 39 pen, Helguson 55, Cook 84.
Att: 11,413
Ref: C Boyeson (E Yorkshire).
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