WATFORD's battling performance at Bramall Lane earned them three points but they could come at a cost.

The Hornets, who are already set to attend a disciplinary hearing over the fracas with WBA, were involved in another melee on Tuesday.

Players surrounded the two involved after Shaun Murphy hacked down Heidar Helguson with a deliberate challenge in the centre circle.

Said chief executive Tim Shaw: "We believe there are mitigating circumstances in the charge for the West Brom game and we hope to prove these at the hearing in December. If we were to be charged a second time, we would have to defend the issue and if found guilty on both counts, we would be fined."

Vialli was upset that United's Shaun Murphy was not booked for a previous foul on Helguson, when the referee flagged the Watford man offside.

"I was not happy with that andI think for the second foul, apart from Heidar who was unhappy with the player and tried to make the matter clear, all the other players were trying to separate. I think they might report us because I am not surprised about anything the referees do," said Vialli.

"Look at our record. We have had three red cards, two of them as a result of two yellows and the other (by Vernazza at Wolves) coming from a tackle that was half as bad as the tackle on Heidar at Walsall.

"We are not a physical side and I think they should take that into consideration. We are not a nasty side."

November 6, 2001 10:30