A terrible blunder from Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea helped Premier League basement side Watford to a 2-0 victory on Sunday for their first home win of the season and maiden victory under coach Nigel Pearson.
The Spain keeper, who had conceded a soft goal in last week’s 1-1 draw with Everton, allowed the weakest of shots from Ismaila Sarr through his hands in the 50th minute.
Senegalese winger Sarr then earned the penalty from which Troy Deeney doubled Watford’s lead in the 54th minute, sending De Gea the wrong way and blasting into the net.
United, who have failed to build on the momentum from their back-to-back wins over Tottenham Hotspur and champions Manchester City earlier this month, produced yet another limp display and failed to hit the target in the first half.
Club record signing Paul Pogba made his first appearance since facing Arsenal on Sept. 30 by coming on in the second half but failed to lift his side, who barely managed to trouble their former goalkeeper Ben Foster in the Watford goal.
United’s fifth Premier League defeat of the season leaves them eighth in the standings on 25 points after 18 games, while Watford are still bottom but level on 12 points with 19th-placed Norwich City.
Tottenham 0 Chelsea 2
Chelsea enjoyed a timely return to form to outplay Tottenham Hotspur in a 2-0 away victory in the Premier League as Frank Lampard outwitted his former mentor Jose Mourinho in their managerial battle on Sunday.
Willian struck both Chelsea goals in the first half as Chelsea consolidated fourth place while Tottenham‘s dismal afternoon went from bad to worse as forward Son Heung-min was shown a red card just past the hour mark.
Chelsea coach Lampard, who won two of his Premier League titles in Mourinho’s first reign at Stamford Bridge, conjured a game plan that allowed his side to dominate from start to finish, aided by a shoddy home performance.
Willian punished some slack defending to open the scoring after 12 minutes and a labouring Tottenham barely created a decent chance in response.
A rush of blood to the head for Tottenham keeper Paulo Gazzaniga gifted Chelsea a penalty, awarded by VAR, just before halftime to put Chelsea in complete control.
Tottenham‘s hopes of a revival were scuppered when Son needlessly kicked out at Antonio Rudiger and was shown a red card, with the decision again being made by VAR.
The hosts could also find themselves in hot water after an object was thrown at Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and Rudiger appeared to suggest he had been victim of racial abuse.
Chelsea’s win, after four defeats in their last five Premier League games, means they have tightened their grip on fourth place, opening up a four-point lead over fifth-placed Sheffield United with Tottenham six points back in seventh spot.
It was the first time in 14 matches at home against one of his previous clubs that Mourinho had suffered a defeat.
