Watford beat Southampton 2:1 in the Championship's opening round of fixtures at Vicarage Road on Sunday. The result moves the hosts up to 14th in the table while the visitors drop further to 18th.
Iker Bravo opened the scoring at the 12th minute, and Amin Nabizada doubled the lead shortly after the half-hour mark. Southampton pulled one back through Cyle Larin in the 56th minute, but the visitors could not find a second goal despite dominating possession.
and here's the thing: Southampton controlled 66 per cent of the ball and registered 1.71 expected goals, yet they managed only three shots on target compared to Watford's three. Watford, with just 34 per cent possession and 0.81 expected goals, were more efficient when it mattered.
Several substitutions reshaped both sides after the break. Watford brought on Marc Bola at 24 minutes, then made a triple change at the hour mark, introducing Lewis Dobbin, Amin Nabizada, and Edoardo Bove. Southampton responded with Cameron Bragg and Cyle Larin at 70 minutes, with Kuryu Matsuki added later.
By then, Watford had established a cushion that Southampton could not breach. The hosts made 63 attacks to their opponents' 138, but Watford's clinical approach proved decisive. Southampton's three big chances created went begging, while Watford managed just one.
The victory extends Watford's unbeaten run to four matches, with this result adding to their previous wins against Crawley Town and Hansa Rostock. Southampton, meanwhile, have now lost two of their last five fixtures, including this defeat despite their statistical superiority.