Watford returned to winning ways with a 2-1 Championship comeback victory over West Brom in the first home game of Javi Gracia’s second spell as Hornets manager.
Isaac Price’s fine strike after 34 minutes put Albion ahead but Imran Louza cancelled that out – four minutes later – to set the stage for Republic of Ireland international Rocco Vata, 20, to seal victory after the break.
The visitors would have gone third with a victory but could not conjure up an equaliser as they dropped down to 10th and Watford moved up to 12th.
Gracia, whose first stint ended in September 2019, waved to applauding home fans on being re-introduced before kick-off.
The away fans sang however that he would be “sacked in the morning”, a cheeky reference to the Hornets’ habit of dispensing with managers, including Paulo Pezzolano on October 8 after just 10 games in charge.
Gracia had let Watford to the 2019 FA Cup final but was sacked following a poor start to the next Premier League campaign.
Both sides struggled to create anything of note for the first half hour. The atmosphere was flat, the game badly in need of excitement and Price provided just that with a super strike in the 34th minute.
Aune Heggebo dummied Mikey Johnston’s pass from the left flank for Price to control, adjust his body and fired high beyond home goalkeeper Egil Selvik from 20 yards out.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Imran Louza scored a stunning goal to bring Watford level in their Championship clash with West Brom.
It was the Northern Ireland international’s fifth goal of the season.
That woke Watford up, with Louza celebrating an equally-impressive leveller just four minutes later.
Nat Phillips headed away Jeremy Ngakia’s cross from the right but only as far as the Watford captain, 20 yards from goal. Louza took a touch before curling a shot beyond Albion goalkeeper Josh Griffiths with his left foot.
Luca Kjerrumgaard flashed a header across goal and wide from a corner as the hosts made a strong start to the second period, with Louza sending another effort over Griffiths but on to the top of the net.
Vata fired Watford ahead in the 58th minute following a storming run down the left by Marc Bola.
Bola left a challenger trailing as he motored along the byline and although Phillips intercepted the cross, the Albion defender got the ball stuck under his feet and could only get it to Vata, who fired through a cluster of bodies from 14 yards.
Selvik pulled off a good save to stop Price heading Albion level, with James Abankwah clearing before Aune Heggebo could latch on to the rebound.
Griffiths had to make a reflex save to deny Tom Ince at the other end before Watford saw out the closing stages with little alarm.
The managers
Watford’s Javi Gracia:
“I had unforgettable moments when I was here before and it was a magic night for me again – something I will never forget. To come back and be able to come away with a good result is unforgettable.
“It was special because I knew the club and the people at the training ground and that helped me to take the decision – knowing I would be happy at this club.
“I’m really pleased for the final result and for the way we did it because the team showed the real experience we needed to win the game.
“We were losing but we were able to come back and not only that we continuing to try to score the third one. Of course at the end, we had to defend the result but that’s the spirit I’m looking for.”
West Brom’s Ryan Mason:
“I’m disappointed with the result first and foremost and secondly with the performance. It was really important to get through to half-time at 1-0 but we weren’t able to do that and in the second half, they had their best spell and we weren’t able to get through that.
“We need to be better at managing those moments in the game because teams have spells and can create momentum. I was disappointed to concede in that moment.
“It was relatively soft, it was difficult to accept and we need to learn from it. But the players gave everything, which is important for me to see and feel.”
