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Premier League | Gameweek 29
Mar 7, 2020 at 3pm UK
 
Watford logo

1-0

Ayew (28')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Nigel Pearson insists Watford will bounce back from Crystal Palace loss

Nigel Pearson insists Watford will bounce back from Crystal Palace loss
© Reuters
Nigel Pearson's side remain outside the relegation zone, although only on goal difference.

Watford head coach Nigel Pearson is confident his players will to bounce back from Saturday's disappointing result at Crystal Palace.

The Hornets started strongly at Selhurst Park, fresh from a 3-0 win over Premier League leaders Liverpool the weekend before, but suffered a 1-0 defeat with Jordan Ayew grabbing the only goal of the game.

Pearson's side remain outside the relegation zone – although only on goal difference – but could drop into the bottom three were Aston Villa to beat Leicester on Monday night.

While frustrated at the loss to Palace, the former Leicester boss was encouraged by some of the signs he saw from his side.

Referee Anthony Taylor handed out eight yellow cards during a fiery match between Crystal Palace and Watford
Referee Anthony Taylor handed out eight yellow cards during a fiery match between Crystal Palace and Watford (John Walton/PA)

"The players understand why we haven't won and that is, we have not converted our chances," Pearson said.

"When you look at our season overall, I am aware and the players are aware we have not picked up points from losing positions, but the intention was there and we were pushing.

"It is not through a lack of desire. I know we have goals in us and we are a competitive side and days like this are a frustration for us.

"The level of performance has been pretty good in terms of creating opportunities, having long spells – as an away side – where we have been on top and what we haven't done is taken full advantage of that.

"Of course conceding a goal which we are disappointed with adds to the disappointment of the day, but we will bounce back.

"As I keep saying, our players are honest and committed to getting us out of the situation we are in and they have worked incredibly hard to get into the situation we are in because before Christmas it was looking grim."

While Watford's battle to beat the drop looks set to go to the wire, Palace can rest easy with the knowledge they are almost certainly going to spend a seventh-consecutive season in the top flight.

A third-straight 1-0 win for the Eagles moved them onto 39 points and, while still cautious, manager Roy Hodgson knows safety is close to being assured.

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson watched his side secure a third 1-0 win on the bounce
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson watched his side secure a third 1-0 win on the bounce (John Walton/PA)

He said: "Well the fact is (to go from) 30 points to 39 is a fantastic lift and we've done it within three games and with nine games to play.

"I have such faith and confidence in this group of players and team that I cannot imagine they will let this go and we will start catapulting down the league and find ourselves once again in enormous relegation danger, but you do never know.

"It would be foolish of me to say that can't happen or won't happen because things happen in football that no one understands.

"No one expected Liverpool to be so many points ahead with nine games left to play so things happen, but it is in our hands and we have broken the back of our season.

"We have given ourselves a task now of needing to get a point a game to finish in a comfortable position and I am fully expecting the players to do that."

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Liverpool's Sadio Mane celebrates scoring their second goal on March 7, 2020
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014


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