Mixed emotions as Matej Vydra is back among the goals but Watford captain Troy Deeney hobbles off injured at Blackpool

Like 12 months ago, when the Hornets dominated Pool only to lose 1-0, the Golden Boys were unable to capitalise on a host of chances during the opening hour of this contest.

However, the introduction of Lloyd Dyer resulted in the winger earning a penalty soon after and Vydra sent the impressive Joe Lewis the wrong way for the only goal of the game.

It was not a comfortable finale for those of a yellow persuasion though as Nile Ranger missed a penalty, Pool had another claim for a spot kick waved away at the death and Troy Deeney was forced off with a hamstring injury.

The victory lifted the Hornets back into the automatic promotion places, one point behind Norwich City and with previous leaders Nottingham Forest having a game in hand.

With Juan Carlos Paredes, Ikechi Anya and Daniel Pudil named in the starting XI, it was interesting to see how the Hornets lined up. Oscar opted for a 4-2-3-1 with Anya left of the trio behind Deeney and Lewis McGugan on the right. Almen Abdi and Daniel Tozser were the two holding players.

Tony McMahon had the first effort of the match for the home side and his curled shot forced Heurelho Gomes to parry wide.

A minute later Watford had their first opening as a clearance rebounded narrowly wide of Blackpool’s goal, leaving goalkeeper Joe Lewis scrambling.

The opening ten minutes were dominated by misplaced passes and poor touches but the Hornets were the more composed side in possession.

Deeney was proving a threat and not long after forcing Lewis into a good save with a 20-yard shot, he powered forward and slipped McGugan through on goal only for the midfielder to be eased off the ball by Peter Clarke.

One of Pool’s strikers, Ishmael Miller, was also proving a physical presence and he held off Gabriel Angella before striking the ball powerfully at Gomes, who gathered at the second attempt.

Watford’s dominance grew as the half wore on and Abdi had a shot from distance held. A sublime 50-yard, first-time pass from Tozser saw Deeney power through on goal and Lewis did well to dive at his feet. Ekstrand then headed the resulting corner against the post.

McGugan had delivered two poor corners earlier in the contest but his 20-yard free-kick from the corner of the area was agonisingly close to beating Lewis, who palmed wide.

There must have been a sense of déjà vu for Hornets followers after a similarly dominant display during the first half at Bloomfield Road 12 months ago. That afternoon, substitute Tom Ince secured a winner for the home side.

The chances kept coming for Watford. Anya arguably should have taken the lead when Vydra set him free one-on-one only for his toe-poke to be tipped wide by Lewis.

McGugan also had a deflected cross hit the side-netting, with Lewis stranded.

But like 12 months ago, Blackpool almost snatched a goal against the run of play in injury-time as Donervon Daniels was left free to head goalwards at a free-kick. However, Gomes was able to save second time around.

Both sides were unchanged for the second half and Vydra had the first effort following the restart with a wayward shot from distance.

Sloppy passing remained a factor and Deeney also continued to be his team’s biggest threat. He beat a couple of players on his way to having a stab at goal saved.

Vydra has so far struggled to recapture his form during his second spell at Watford but he did have a first-time shot hit the side-netting following Anya’s pull-back.

Blackpool were not creating chances. Their only effort of note between half-time and the hour mark was Tomasz Cywka’s free-kick from 30 yards and it went wide.

Dyer was brought on for McGugan just before the hour mark and eight minutes later he won the penalty which resulted in the opening goal. The winger cut back on to his right foot and McMahon’s swiping leg brought him down.

Deeney is the usual penalty taker for Watford but for some reason the striker – who missed a spot kick at Bloomfield Road last year – allowed Vydra to take it and the Czech Republic international made no mistake, sending Lewis the wrong way.

It was Vydra’s first goal since the opening day of the season and his second of the campaign.

However, their lead almost lasted just a matter of minutes as Gomes failed to reach a cross and Deeney needed to clear a header off his own goalline.

Watford were still the team applying most of the pressure but Blackpool were handed a glorious chance to equalise when Pudil appeared to nudge an attacker in the back as he challenged for a header. Fortunately for the Golden Boys, the penalty from substitute Nile Ranger rebounded off the inside of the post and across the face of goal.

Dyer’s record for Watford on a Tuesday night is impressive - with three goals in as many games – and he again made an impact from the bench. He showed good pace to burst into the box and had a shot tipped wide.

For all of the Golden Boys’ good attacking play, their terrible defending at set pieces could have cost them. Substitute Sergei Zenjov headed over with minutes left and in injury-time, Miller was allowed a free header whilst unmarked but it was too central and Gomes saved.

Watford managed to hold on for the three points but there was a worrying sight for the Hornets fans as Deeney went down with a hamstring injury after chasing a through ball and was forced off, hobbling.

The Watford followers were left waiting anxiously until the last moment as Miller went down in the box following an aerial challenge. A corner was given but Tozser managed to get a block in and a goal kick was given.

Blackpool: Lewis, McMahon, Daniels, Clarke, J.Oriol; Cywka (Zenjov 86), Perkins, Lundstram, E.Orio (Ranger 72); Zoko (Delfouneso 65), Miller.

Subs: Parish, Dielna, Rentmeister, Dunne, Zenjov.

Watford: Gomes; Paredes, Ekstrand, Angella, Pudil; Tozser, Abdi (Murray 73); McGugan (Dyer 59), Vydra, Anya; Deeney.

Subs: Bond, Cathcart, Fabbrini, Ighalo.

Referee: Scott Duncan.