Watford forward Josh King has confessed that he wanted to prove a point to former employers Everton when the two sides met on Saturday.
King endured an awful six-month spell with the Toffees last season, seeing just 137 minutes of action across 11 substitute appearances and, unsurprisingly, failing to find the back of the net.
He was released in the summer and joined Watford, and fittingly opened his account for the season against Everton with a stunning hat-trick as Claudio Ranieri's men thumped his old side 5-2 at Goodison Park. After the win he hit out at the Toffees for failing to let him shine last year.
"I didn't get given a chance [and] I did wake up today with a feeling," King said. "Obviously I was here but I didn't feel I was given a chance to play football and every time someone doubts you and doesn't believe in you feel you've got to prove a point.
"I know it's not personal but I woke up today and said to myself 'I need to be on my A-game today. I didn't expect a hat-trick to be honest but I'll take it."
It didn't look to be King's day early on as Tom Davies put Everton ahead just minutes in, but the Norway international poked home an equaliser soon after to tie things up at the break.
Richarlison put Everton back ahead on the hour mark, setting up a ridiculous end to the game in which King bagged two of Watford's four goals in the last 12 minutes of the contest.
The result sees Watford climb further away from the relegation zone, with six points now separating the Hornets and Burnley in 18th.
Next up for King and Watford is a visit from Southampton, with just two points and two places in the table between the teams.
Source : 90min