Adam Masina’s first-half strike was the Italian’s first in 16 appearances this seasonAdam Masina’s strike earned Watford victory over Nottingham Forest as a sixth win in seven Championship games sent the Hornets second.
Masina blasted the ball through Brice Samba’s legs after great work by Ismaila Sarr on the right to ensure Watford were rewarded for a dominant first-half display.
Forest, who have now managed three goals in seven matches and are only eight points clear of third-bottom Rotherham United having played three games more, improved considerably after the interval.
Anthony Knockaert, Gaetan Bong and Cafu went close, before Cafu’s fellow substitute Lyle Taylor had a goal rightly ruled out for offside.
But Watford stood firm and were good value for a win which took them three points clear of Brentford, whose game against Rotherham was postponed. They remain 10 points behind leaders Norwich City following their 3-0 win over Luton Town.
Relive Saturday’s EFL actionWatford hold firm as Forest nearly snatch drawForest, inspired by the introduction of Cafu and Joe Lolley, almost salvaged a point despite struggling to contain Watford’s attacking line-up throughout.
Andre Gray, who should have scored with chances early in both halves, led the line impressively, with able support from Joao Pedro and wide duo Sarr and Ken Sema, while the cool head of Will Hughes dictated play from deep.
Forest skipper Joe Worrall stood out with a typically robust defensive display, making numerous blocks and interceptions, but he was powerless to prevent them from falling behind.
Sarr’s quick feet and persistence saw him beat Bong and fire in a low cross which led to Masina smashing the ball home through Samba, who was unfortunate to be beaten having pushed away the initial centre and being accidentally whacked on the head by Gray before woozily getting to his feet.
Forest’s response was half-hearted, a teasing Cyrus Christie effort and a 20-yard Filip Krovinovic shot that went well over all they could offer.
Watford, who have now lost only one of their past 10 meetings with Forest in all competitions, continued to pose problems – but the better openings fell to the visitors in the second half.
A rasping Knockaert shot flashed just wide, Bong was narrowly off target with a header and a Cafu strike deflected a fraction past the far post.
Taylor thought he had earned a point with a well-struck low shot, only to be denied by the flag as Forest fell to a second successive loss in the first of four consecutive games against teams in the division’s top five.
Watford manager Xisco Munoz: “Masina is a big player. Right now he’s in a good moment. Most importantly he has very good ambition.
“He wants to give the best for the team. Sometimes he thinks more about the team than the individual. I’m happy with him. We’ve tried him more in attack and we want to see him in offence.
“I want to say congratulations to the players. I know we have done very hard work, but I think we can be better and have more control of the game.
“I have a very good squad, and right now it doesn’t matter who I put in the first 11, everyone is in the high level.”
Nottingham Forest manager Chris Hughton: “There wasn’t a lot in it and that’s one thing I continue to speak to the players about. We look at why Watford are where they are and we are where we are.
“That’s the difference. We’ve had games against the top six where the level of performance has been good and not too far away from the opposition.
“But it’s finding the way to get that win. That’s what the top teams do, and unfortunately that was the case.
“They’ve got the goal and probably in the final third they look more threatening. The difference is they find a way of winning.”
Line-upsWatfordFormation 4-1-4-1
26Bachmann
21Femenía5Troost-Ekong31Sierralta11Masina
19Hughes
23Sarr10João Pedro7Zinckernagel12Sema
18Gray
26Bachmann21Femenía5Troost-Ekong31Sierralta11Masina19Hughes23Sarr10João PedroBooked at 45minsSubstituted forSuccessat 88’minutes7ZinckernagelBooked at 50minsSubstituted forHungboat 80’minutes12Sema18GraySubstituted forC Sánchezat 66’minutesSubstitutes3Ngakia6Wilmot15Cathcart22Success25Perica28C Sánchez32Navarro33Elliot44HungboNottm ForestFormation 4-2-3-1
30Samba
2Christie3Figueiredo4Worrall13Bong
37Garner22Yates
28Knockaert27Krovinovic15Freeman
25Murray
30Samba2Christie3Figueiredo4Worrall13BongSubstituted forBlackettat 81’minutes37Garner22YatesSubstituted forRibeiro Diasat 57’minutes28KnockaertBooked at 10mins27KrovinovicSubstituted forTaylorat 81’minutes15FreemanSubstituted forLolleyat 57’minutes25MurraySubstitutes6Mbe Soh8Colback11Ameobi12Smith16Jenkinson18Ribeiro Dias23Lolley24Blackett33TaylorLive TextMatch ends, Watford 1, Nottingham Forest 0.
Second Half ends, Watford 1, Nottingham Forest 0.
Corner, Watford. Conceded by Glenn Murray.
Attempt blocked. Joseph Hungbo (Watford) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ken Sema.
Joseph Hungbo (Watford) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Cyrus Christie (Nottingham Forest).
Isaac Success (Watford) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Tobias Figueiredo (Nottingham Forest).
Offside, Nottingham Forest. Glenn Murray tries a through ball, but Lyle Taylor is caught offside.
Substitution, Watford. Isaac Success replaces João Pedro.
Attempt missed. James Garner (Nottingham Forest) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Tyler Blackett with a headed pass following a corner.
Attempt blocked. Tyler Blackett (Nottingham Forest) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Tobias Figueiredo.
Corner, Nottingham Forest. Conceded by Francisco Sierralta.
Adam Masina (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Lyle Taylor (Nottingham Forest).
Foul by Ismaila Sarr (Watford).
James Garner (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Joseph Hungbo (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Anthony Knockaert (Nottingham Forest).
Substitution, Nottingham Forest. Tyler Blackett replaces Gaëtan Bong.
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