Everton brush aside Hornets
Saturday, 24 Feb 2007 19:58
Adrian Boothroyd faces a relegation dogfight
Watford stay rooted to the bottom of the Premiership after their recent run of solid form was brought to an abrupt end by a 3-0 home defeat to Everton.
Manuel Fernandes set the Toffees on their way after pouncing on a ball spilled by Richard Lee in the Hornets goal.
The second arrived just two minutes later as Andrew Johnson steered a penalty home after being jostled in the box by Jay DeMerrit.
The hosts searched in vain for a way back into the game as Tamas Priskin went close for them, but it was Leon Osman who next found his way onto the scoresheet with a sublime curling finish in the last few minutes.
On their return from a memorable victory over Barcelona at the Nou Camp, Liverpool eased past Sheffield United 4-0 at Anfield.
Both first-half goals came from Robbie Fowler penalties awarded for fouls on Steven Gerrard.
A rare foray forward from Sami Hyypia signalled the start of the second-half scoring before Gerrard capped a fine personal display with a precise late strike.
Middlesbrough ended Reading's nine-match unbeaten run with a 2-1 win at the Riverside.
Steve Coppell's side had quietly sneaked into contention for a European spot, but goals from Mark Viduka and Yakubu leave them vulnerable to being overtaken by seventh-placed Portsmouth who play Blackburn tomorrow.
John Oster netted a consolation for the visitors with three minutes left of normal time, but 'Boro comfortably contained the Royals' late rally.