Middlesbrough Paper View (h)

Watford up and running as Boro play fall guys again

The first blast of winter was a wake-up call to Watford, a chilling reminder that if their survival campaign is to have legs then they needed to get a move on and start winning games. A helping hand arrived in the shape of visitors from Middlesbrough, a team whose hopes and conviction away from home are seemingly locked in cold storage.

A first Premiership victory gives Aidy Boothroyd's team the opportunity to puff their chests out a little more next weekend when they go to Stamford Bridge to engage with the champions. The Watford manager had sensed that his willing workers were beginning to shed their sense of awe and excitement which had followed last season's dramatic rise and were ready to get down to serious business.

So it proved, but how conveniently did Middlesbrough smooth their passage to that elusive first three points. Sunday Telegraph

Problems mount for Southgate as Middlesbrough self-destruct

GARETH SOUTHGATE FAMOUSLY PUT A paper bag over his head for a post-Euro '96 pizza advert. Right now his players are hiding. Southgate's stint as Middlesbrough manager is in its infancy but this match confirmed that he is nowhere near to solving the perversity of a club who for years have hovered around mediocrity.

At how many other clubs would Watford's record, winless in the league before Saturday set spines shivering instead of hands rubbing? This season, Middlesbrough have beaten Chelsea and drawn away to Arsenal and Bolton Wanderers, but have now lost to all three of the promoted teams.

Watford's relentless hustle was far too much for a side who lacked willpower, creativity, cohesion and confidence. Watford were direct, Middlesbrough, directionless. What the visiting team lacked in class, they made up for in carelessness.

Hameur Bouazza's early shot deflected in off Jonathan Woodgate. In the second half, George Boateng's crass back-header went straight to Ashley Young, who finished coolly. A mistake by Woodgate almost led to Darius Henderson making it three. Adrian Boothroyd, the Watford manager, compared Bouazza to Marlon King, his star striker, who is out for the season because of impending knee surgery.

“I had a lot of time out with injury in my short career and what it does is it makes you a stronger person mentally,” Boothroyd said. “He will come back next year, he'll grace the Premiership again and he'll be fantastic, I'm sure.” So Watford will be in the top flight next year? “I genuinely believe that there are three worse teams than us. So we've got to make sure that we shoot for the stars and not the ceiling.” Sunday Times

Watford's season begins at last

Aidy Boothroyd's Premiership 'virgins' as he referred to them in the programme, finally popped their cherry yesterday afternoon as Hameur Bouazza scored his second goal of the season to put Watford ahead after five minutes and set them on course for their first Premiership win. Ashley Young then doubled the advantage to give them the result that leaves only Macclesfield now in the English League without a win so far this season.

Watford had not scored in the league since Young's goal in the 3-3 draw against Fulham, one month ago. But when Gavin Mahon's throw-in was headed down by Jonathan Woodgate the ball fell to a seemingly unnoticed Bouazza who struck through the area to put the home side ahead. From there on in Watford dominated the play as they had done in the game last week against Tottenham, but this time it brought results. Half a dozen chances fell to the lively home side. Middlesbrough, meanwhile, hardly flexed a muscle. Sunday Observer

Young cleans up as Woodgate helps Watford to elusive win

Watford won, finally, but against this opposition, it would have been a major failure if they had not. Middlesbrough were so poor that they were flattered by this result and Gareth Southgate clearly has a huge problem to overcome if his first foray into management is not to end in tears.

While Adrian Boothroyd was a blur of instructions and orders, the former Middlesbrough and England defender looked on in forlorn isolation, scratched his head and sometimes clapped his hands. Sunday Independent