Watford promoted to Premier League after beating Millwallon April 24, 2021 at 5:33 pm

Watford win automatic promotion back to the Premier League after Ismaila Sarr’s penalty seals a narrow win over Millwall.

Mitchell drew a save from home keeper Daniel Bachmann before the break with a shot from outside the box before Mason Bennett saw his follow-up effort clip the top of the bar.

Bachmann clawed away a close-range effort from a corner as Millwall pressed for an equaliser in the second half, but Watford held on to secure an eighth successive league victory at Vicarage Road.

Watford have followed Norwich City in securing an instant return to the to flight after relegation last season, and their impressive home form has been the cornerstone of their promotion bid.

Xisco Munoz’s side are on their best run at at Vicarage Road since 1977 – and registered a club-record 18th home triumph of the campaign.

Sarr made no mistake from the spot, stroking the ball down the middle as Lions keeper Bartosz Bialkowski dived to his left.

Dan Gosling could have made it 2-0 with a header from Tom Cleverley’s free-kick before the Watford goal came under threat, but a 22nd clean sheet of the season secured all three points and prompted celebrations at full-time.

Munoz transforms Watford’s season

While stability was the cornerstone of Norwich’s success this season, Watford have gone about things in a typically frantic manner.

Hayden Mullins had seen them through to the end of last season in an interim capacity after the dismissal of Nigel Pearson, and Vladimir Ivic was appointed in August to lead the club’s recovery in the Championship.

Abdoulaye Doucoure, Gerard Deulofeu and Roberto Pereyra were among the big names to leave Vicarage Road, though highly sought-after forward Sarr and captain Troy Deeney remained.

But Ivic’s reign lasted just four months and 20 league games, despite the Hornets being fifth in the table and just four points from the top two.

A falling out with striker Deeney seemed to seal the Serbian’s fate and Munoz replaced him the following day to become the Watford’s fifth manager in just over a year.

The 40-year-old Spaniard turned previously frequent draws into victories and an already solid defence became even tougher to breach, with Bachmann becoming first-choice keeper and Francisco Sierralta, William Troost-Ekong and Kiko Femenia all dependable across the back.

Watford have gone from being functional and somewhat uninspiring in the first half of the campaign to showing a real attacking verve – talisman Sarr, Brazilian teenager Joao Pedro and Sweden winger Ken Sema forming a skilful three-pronged attack – with the 6-0 demolition of Bristol City in February a particular high point.

How they will fare back in the Premier League next season is anyone’s guess but the chop and change approach of owner Gino Pozzo has once again paid dividends.

Munoz ‘very lucky’ with Watford players – reaction

Watford head coach Xisco Munoz told BBC Three Counties Radio:

“It is an amazing moment, and it is the moment to say thank you to everyone who has helped me and the players.

“It was a very good performance and we are at a very good level.

“I will always say I have been very lucky with the players from the first day.

“Everyone worked with the same idea and passion, and it is very nice when you have a group where everyone has the same direction. Everyone at the training ground believed.

“Right now it is important to enjoy the situation and after we will prepare for next season.”

Millwall boss Gary Rowett:

“We gave a silly penalty away. Billy has got to learn not to be so rash, but he is a terrific young player with a bright future.

“For about 15 minutes after that it looked as though we felt a bit sorry for ourselves, but we worked hard to try to get back into the game.

“After the first 20 minutes I thought we were excellent and we were probably the better side from thereon.

“Just that little bit of quality was missing. I don’t think we could have done much more than we did.

“Good luck to Watford – they have got Premier League quality players and deserve to go up.”

Full Time