Everton 2 Watford 1

Watford's return to the Barclays Premiership after an absence of six years was marred by a controversial penalty decision, eight minutes from time, which effectively ended the brave challenge of Aidy Boothroyd's men.

Already trailing to a first half debut goal by Everton's £8.6m summer signing Andrew Johnson, Watford conceded a hotly disputed penalty, after the impressive Chris Powell was harshly adjudged to have stopped Tim Cahill's cross with his hand.

Television replays proved conclusively that referee Mr. Walton and his assistant had made an error, the ball hit Powell's head only, but nevertheless talented Spaniard, Mikel Arteta stepped forward to kill the game with aplomb from twelve yards.

As with every new season optimism amongst supporters is high, but never more so when your team has made a triumphant return to the top flight following unexpected play-off glory three months previous, and 1, 800 hardy Hertfordshire souls had made the long journey to a rainy North West to witness the occasion.

With weather more akin to late October than mid August, Watford strode purposefully onto the pitch and into a cacophony of home noise.

Boothroyd had been dealt a blow in the build up to the game with star defender, Jay DeMerit, taking longer than expected to overcome an ankle complaint, meaning an unexpected start for a fully fit Adrian Mariappa. The remainder of team selection was predictable with the ambitious Watford boss giving debuts to experienced close season captures, Danny Shittu, Damien Francis and Powell.

Everton manager, David Moyes had also re-enforced his squad during the summer with the big money arrivals of Andrew Johnson and Joleon Lescott, and while the former started, the latter was left kicking his heels on the bench.

Right from the first whistle the visitors signalled their intent, and soon gave Everton an early scare.

An innocuous ball fizzed across the face of Tim Howard's goal with Phil Neville clearing the danger, before Ashley Young drove a fierce shot at Howard after neat play by Darius Henderson, the Everton goalkeeper managing to parry to Joseph Yobo who scissor kicked the ball to safety.

As the Golden Boys continued to press Alan Stubbs then fouled Shittu close to Everton's area, but disappointingly last season leading goal scorer, Marlon King fired tamely at the wall from a promising position.

At the other end a neat move involving James Beattie, Simon Davies and Johnson ended with a Lee Carsley effort, but his shot had neither the pace nor direction to seriously trouble Ben Foster who gathered cleanly.

As Everton came more into the game Arteta then unleashed a fierce drive which went narrowly over the Watford goal before the hosts took the lead through Johnson.

After a barren pre-season, the instantly recognisable striker latched onto a fifteenth minute Beattie ball and lobbed Foster from 20 yards despite a desperate closing down attempt by Lloyd Doyley.

As the half progressed Watford remained up for a challenge, but despite plenty of possession it was the Merseysiders who were now carrying the greater threat.

Shittu maybe should have had his marching orders after bringing down Johnson as the last man but fortunately only received yellow, and from the resultant free-kick Arteta struck the top of the cross bar with a flailing Foster beaten.

Francis was booked minutes later after felling Nuno Valente and an unmarked Cahill should then have scored from Arteta's excellent free-kick, only to hit Foster's left hand upright following a deft header with the goalie again beaten.

The half time interval saw Mariappa made way for DeMerit and Hamuer Bouazza replace the ineffective James Chambers as Watford looked to claw back the deficit.

The visitors started in similar fashion to the first half but in truth Everton did not seem too shaken, and Beattie should have doubled his side's advantage after 57 minutes but the England hopeful badly scuffed a Johnson cross from three yards out.

That apart though Watford attacked at will, and gaining in confidence came ever closer to levelling. Perhaps sensing an equaliser the home support grew ever quieter as the clock ticked down, and Francis especially, will have been disappointed to miss the target with a weak right foot shot after the marauding Henderson had stumbled his way into Everton's penalty area.

However, all of Watford's brave endeavours were about to be undone by the referee and his assistant.

Thereafter, the result was never really in doubt although the Golden Boys, retaining admirable composure in the face of such an injustice did manage to grab a thoroughly deserved consolation, Francis' left foot shot ending up in Howard's bottom right hand corner following a massive deflection deep into injury time.

The final whistle heralded a narrow defeat, and while Everton could lay claim to having carved out the better opportunities, especially during the first half, Watford had more than held their own in the second period and may well have snatched a deserved share of the points had Mr. Walton and his assistant not intervened with such damming effect.

Golden Boys man of the match: Chris Powell. The ex-Charlton Athletic defender did not put a foot or ‘head' wrong throughout the afternoon and was unlucky to finish on the losing side.