Hornets Hard Fought Against Foxes to End Winless Run

Watford came from behind to end a seven-game winless run and beat Leicester City 2-1 in their English Premier League clash at Vicarage Road on Boxing.

Match summary

Two late first-half goals from Riyadh Mahrez and former Leicester defender Molla Wague set up a tense second-half fixture.

However, it was a Kasper Schmeichel own-goal in the 65th minute that settled the game as Watford ended their miserable run without a win.

Full report

Watford welcomed an in-form Leicester side high on confidence after earning a point at Old Trafford with ten-men on Saturday.

The Foxes were unbeaten in seven successive away matches in the Premier League and already secured three points more on the road than in the entirety of last season.

While Marco Silva's surprise package of the season suffered four straight defeats in the league and were in danger of dropping into the bottom half of the table.

However, as displayed since Silva's arrival, the Hornets showed the fighting spirit once again that made them one of the most exciting sides in the division.

After a scrappy start to the encounter with a few clear-cut chances, the game sprung into life just before the half-time whistle.

First Mahrez netted a rare headed goal in the 37th minute after meeting a Marc Albrighton cross at the far post to beat goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.

Then on 45 minutes, former Foxes loanee Molla Wague found a timely equaliser against Claude Puel's side. The Mali international defender who was earning his first start of the season, scored a simple tap-in from close range as the visitors made a hash of clearing a defensive corner.

Exciting forward Richarlison nearly put the home side ahead before the end of the half, but his fierce effort shuddered off the post with Schmeichel beaten.

And in the second-half, Abdoulaye Doucoure, who was having a poor game by his standards, forced a winner to end his side's barren run.

Tom Cleverley's free-kick deep from midfield found the Frenchman at the back-post and somehow he managed to head the ball into the area from the tightest of angles - before ricocheting into the net off Schmeichel's body.