Stefano Okaka has claimed his first goals for Watford as Walter Mazzarri's charges came from behind to claim a 3-2 win over Everton in Saturday's Premier League clash at Vicarage Road.
Romelu Lukaku opened the scoring in the 17th minute but Okaka's brace, either side of a Sebastian Prodl header, looked to have given the Hornets an easy win.
However, Lukaku struck with four minutes to go to set up a nervy finish but, despite a number of late scares, Watford held on to claim all three points.
Here is how Sports Mole covered the action in Hertfordshire.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text commentary of the Premier League clash between Watford and Everton!
The two clubs facing off today at Vicarage Road are both in lacklustre form and have somewhat lost their way in the last few weeks, but a win for one of them would prove a welcome boost and could even reinvigorate their season.
The Hornets have lost three of their last four top-flight games and could suffer three consecutive defeats in the division for the first time in eight months, but a win would put them above the Toffees and into the top half of the table.
Ronald Koeman's charges, meanwhile, are still looking for their first Premier League win since October, having taken one point from their last five league matches away from Goodison Park, but would leapfrog Manchester United into sixth place with a win in Hertfordshire.
Time to bring you the team news from Vicarage Road...
WATFORD STARTING XI: Gomes; Zuniga, Prodl, Britos, Holebas; Guedioura, Behrami, Capoue; Amrabat, Okaka, Deeney
EVERTON STARTING XI: Stekelenburg; Coleman, Baines, Williams, Funes Mori; Barry, Gana, McCarthy; Deulofeu, Mirallas, Lukaku
WATFORD SUBS: Pantilimon, Kabasele, Janmaat, Watson, Success, Sinclair, Ighalo
EVERTON SUBS: Joel, Jagielka, Holgate, Cleverley, Barkley, Lennon, Valencia
Watford boss Walter Mazzarri has made two changes to his starting XI from their 3-1 defeat at West Bromwich Albion as Miguel Britos and Valon Behrami return from suspension to replace Christian Kabasele, who drops to the bench, and Roberto Pereyra, who sits out the game due to a one-match ban - reduced from three - following his 84th-minute red card at the Hawthorns.
Two changes for Everton as well today, as long-term absentee Yannick Bolasie - out for at least 12 months with a knee injury - is replaced by Gerard Deulofeu, while James McCarthy comes in for Tom Cleverley, who drops to the bench.
Ahead of kickoff, Watford sit 11th in the Premier League table, on 18 points, while Everton are eighth on 20 points. Hardly struggling, but following very bright starts to the season, both sides have endured a tricky last few weeks and are in need of a winter booster.
Since claiming a majestic 3-1 win over Manchester United on September 18, the Hornets have stumbled, losing to Burnley, Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion, and finding themselves on the receiving end of a 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Liverpool, as well as drawing against Bournemouth and Swansea City.
Everton, meanwhile, have won just two of their last 10 games, with four defeats and four draws completing that run. Not the kind of form that would gift them a place in Europe, so Koeman will be hoping to put that right today against an opponent that, despite being tricky, is certainly beatable.
The Toffees might have claimed a late point against Manchester United last time out, but it doesn't change their poor run of form - and with Yannick Bolasie potentially ruled out until 2018, Koeman admits that he is looking for a replacement in the January window.
"The necessity now is a little bit more than before because we have lost Yannick for a long time," Koeman told BBC Sport on Friday.
HEAD TO HEAD: Everton are unbeaten in 11 successive games against Watford in all competitions - they had won nine in a row before drawing both Premier League meetings last season. The Hornets, meanwhile, haven't beaten the Toffees in any competition since March 1987, when they won 2-1 at Vicarage Road in the top flight.
The two sides have met 22 times over the years, their first encounter coming on August 28, 1982 at Vicarage Road, and it ended 2-0 to Watford - Gerry Armstrong and Pat Rice were the goalscorers for the Hornets that day, setting them up for one of the most successful seasons in the club's history.
Watford eventually finished second in the Division One table behind champions Liverpool, with Everton down in seventh position. Hornets striker Luther Blissett ended the campaign as the league's top goalscorer, bagging 27 goals.
Arguably the most famous meeting between the two came in the 1984 FA Cup final, with Everton claiming the trophy with a 2-0 win, courtesy of Graeme Sharp's strike seven minutes before half time and Andy Gray's controversial header, where he appeared to foul Hornets goalkeeper Steve Sherwood as he netted.
PREDICTION: Fastforward back to 2016 and, with 10 minutes until kickoff, it's time for me to have a go at predicting the score. Neither side are in particularly good form but both have good players and are evenly matched on paper - I reckon it will be a 1-1 draw.
If you're partial to a flutter, then it might just be worth looking at the "both teams to score" market for this game - Watford have kept one clean sheet in their last 12 league matches at home, while Everton have kept one clean sheet in their last 10 Premier League fixtures.
Skippers Troy Deeney and Gareth Barry lead Watford and Everton out of the tunnel and onto the pitch at Vicarage Road - kickoff is not long away now.
It's a big occasion for Leighton Baines today...
Leighton Baines making 350th #efc appearance today, only second full-back after Tommy Wright (374, 1964-73) to reach that mark — Gavin Buckland (@GavinBuckland1) 10 December 2016
Will today be the day that Troy Deeney, on 99 Watford goals since October 1, finally reaches his century? Sports Mole will bring you all the action as it comes!
KICKOFF! We're underway at Vicarage Road as referee Anthony Taylor blows his whistle for the first time - Everton get the game started!
Deulofeu gets the better of Holebas to win the early aerial duel but Capoue is on hand to cover for his teammate and the hosts win a free kick deep in their half.
Capoue looks to find Holebas in the final third, but his pass out wide to the left-back is too heavy and goes out for a throw-in.
Capoue and Holebas link up well again as the full-back gets into position to attempt a cross into the box, but the final delivery is poor as the ball is sliced straight out for a goal kick.
Danger for Watford as a Deulofeu cross gets the better of Britos and almost falls for Mirallas in the six-yard area, but Prodl clears away before the Toffees can pounce.
BOOKING: Guedioura is the first player to find his way into the book for his clumsy challenge on Gueye.
CHANCE! Everton having more joy in these early stages as Deulofeu wins a corner, takes it short and almost catches Gomes out - the ball dips at the last second, forcing the Watford keeper to palm the ball to safety.
A long, probing ball over the top almost finds Okaka, but Funes Mori does not panic under pressure and clears the ball into touch for a throw-in.
Amrabat has space to burst into the left inside channel but, despite having a number of yellow shirts in the box, he can only strike his low cross straight into Baines's legs.
Capoue collects a cross in space at the back post after good linking with Deeney, but he can only scuff his effort well wide of target and out for a throw-in on the opposite flank.
BOOKING: Deulofeu clatters into the back of Zuniga and picks up the game's second booking.
GOAL! WATFORD 0-1 EVERTON (ROMELU LUKAKU)
First blood at Vicarage Road goes to the visitors! Barry completely splits the Watford defence with a lofted through-ball, and Lukaku sneaks in behind Prodl and Britos to latch onto the pass before slotting the ball between the legs of Gomes and into the net!
That early goal has galvanised Everton as they come straight back at Watford with Lukaku nodding the ball out wide to Deulofeu, who speeds down the flank and attempts a cross towards the near post, but on this occasion Gomes gathers and the chance goes amiss.
CHANCE! Okaka drifts into space on the edge of the box, collects the ball from Deeney and opens himself up to strike on his right foot, but doesn't hit the shot hard enough to trouble Stekelenburg.
CHANCE! More danger coming Everton's way as Guedioura swings a corner towards the near post and Britos connects, but he can only head his effort wide of the post.
CHANCE! Amrabat does brilliantly down the right to beat Baines and Funes Mori before finding Deeney on the edge of the area with a cross, but the Watford captain's first touch is too heavy and the opportunity is wasted.
Holebas charges down the flank and tries to whip the ball into the box, but the ball strikes Deulofeu and ricochets back off the Watford man's legs to trickle out for a goal kick.
A bit of a lull in action now with the action concentrated in midfield and little of note happening.
Scrappy play on the edge of the Everton box as the visitors struggle to clear their lines - Capoue wins the ball and goes to ground under Barry's challenge, but referee Taylor gives nothing.
GOAL! WATFORD 1-1 EVERTON (STEFANO OKAKA)
You can't say that it wasn't coming and with not long to go until the break, Watford are level and in style - Amrabat's fine low cross is met by Okaka with a sublime backheel flick and the ball flies past Stekelenburg and into the Everton net! Game on!
The visitors set about trying to get back in front, but Deulofeu's cross misses Lukaku in the box and allows Watford to clear.
Guedioura floats a ball to the far post where Deeney finds himself, having ghosted into space, but the Hornets skipper slices wide from close range - the wait for goal number 100 continues.
Watford have bossed the last 20 or so minutes but Everton are finishing this half strongly as Deulofeu whips a teasing ball into the area which Zuniga nervously heads clear and, moments later, a breakdown in communication between Holebas and Gomes almost allows Deulofeu to pounce, but the ball is cleared.
There will be two minutes of added time at Vicarage Road.
HALF TIME: WATFORD 1-1 EVERTON
We're level at the break here at Vicarage Road as Watford fell behind to Everton, courtesy of Romelu Lukaku's opener just after the quarter-hour mark, but the hosts struck back through Stefano Okaka's skilful backheel goal.
Everton looked comfortable in the opening stages but Watford improved massively as the game went on and had their opponents on the ropes, even though the Toffees finished strongly. All square at half time, both sides quite evenly matched, so there will be plenty for both managers to discuss in the changing rooms.
Prior to the game I mentioned how both sides have struggled to keep clean sheets and, indeed, both teams have scored at the break, and we're still on course for a 1-1 draw, although a lot may change in the next 45 minutes - will Deeney claim his 100th goal in a Hornets shirt?
Looking at the stats it shows that Watford have been the stronger side, with six shots (three on target) compared to Everton's lone effort, while 176 completed passes to 114 and 56 percent possession over 44 shows that Koeman will be the more worried of the two gaffers. However, it's all even - what will the second half bring? Stick with Sports Mole and we'll find out!
22 – At the age of just 23, Romelu Lukaku has scored against 22 of the 29 different opponents that he has faced in the PL. Focused. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) 10 December 2016
KICKOFF: Back underway at Vicarage Road - Behrami appears to have been sick on the pitch but looks okay to continue.
Neither side seems able to settle in this opening period, the action is cagey and lacking intensity.
Deulofeu marauds down the flank and has several blue shirts to aim at, but he skews his cross and sends the ball straight into Gomes's hands.
DISALLOWED GOAL! Baines has the ball in the net but the referee's whistle had already signalled that Coleman was offside.
Everton having the better of things early on after the restart as Deulofeu draws a foul off Holebas on the right, winning a free kick, but it's drilled straight at Gomes.
Lukaku mistimes his run at the back post and is carelessly caught offside from Baines's inswinging cross from the left.
Gueye slips while in possession and allows Capoue to attempt a strike 25 yards from the Everton goal, but his effort is blocked.
GOAL! WATFORD 2-1 EVERTON (SEBASTIAN PRODL)
An hour player here at Vicarage Road and the hosts, who were behind, are now in front as Prodl - who missed a similar chance just a minute earlier - latches onto Holebas's fine delivery and nods home!
SUBSTITUTION: Daryl Janmaat replaces Adlene Guedioura for Watford.
BOOKING: Baines clashes heads with Amrabat in a bid to clear a loose ball and finds his way into the ref's book.
GOAL! WATFORD 3-1 EVERTON (STEFANO OKAKA)
How quickly things turn around eh? Watford were a goal down in the first half, now they've built up a two-goal lead and Everton look out of sorts as Okaka doubles his Hornets tally with a glancing header!
SUBSTITUTION: Ross Barkley makes his way on for Everton, replacing Idrissa Gueye.
Everton have a mountain to climb but they're giving it a go as Deulofeu tries to pick out Lukaku, but the Belgian can't turn the ball goalwards and it's a goal kick for Watford, who have just over 20 minutes plus added time to see out this game.
SUBSTITUTION: Enner Valencia replaces Kevin Mirallas for the visitors.
Valencia is penalised for catching Prodl with flailing elbow as the pair contested the ball, but just a free kick is awarded.
BOOKING: Jose Holebas goes into the book for time-wasting.
Deulofeu slips the ball through to Valencia in the left inside channel, but the forward takes a poor touch and allows Prodl to clear it behind for a throw-in.
Barkley makes a hash of things as the ball drops to him on the edge of the box from a corner, but he completely scuffs his shot and is unable to regain possession as the opportunity goes amiss. Pretty much sums up Everton's afternoon.
SUBSTITUTION: Two-goal attacker Stefano Okaka receives a standing ovation by the Hornets faithful as his shift comes to an end and he makes way for Ben Watson.
CHANCE! Valencia powers towards the edge of the Watford box and opens himself up to shoot on his right foot, but his ensuing effort drifts wide of the post.
PENALTY SHOUT! Holebas powers his way into the Everton area where he goes to ground under Coleman's challenge, but referee Taylor waves away the penalty shouts.
GOAL! WATFORD 3-2 EVERTON (ROMELU LUKAKU)
Far from being game over, Everton are now right back in this and will surely be throwing the kitchen sink at Watford as Lukaku matches Okaka in claiming a two-goal haul today - the Belgian striker thumps home Lennon's precise cross beyond Gomes and into the far corner!
CHANCE! Watford have completely lost their composure as Gomes spills a Lukaku cross in his goalmouth but there is no Everton player around to poach the loose ball and it's hacked away!
Four minutes of added time - four minutes for Watford to survive, four minutes for Everton to snatch something from this game!
Deeney and Amrabat are eager to take the sting out of the game as they carry the ball deep into Everton territory and attempt to run the clock down.
SUBSTITUTION: Juan Zuniga makes way for Christian Kabasele as Watford make their final change.
FULL TIME: WATFORD 3-2 EVERTON
Everton fail to make the most of a late, late free kick in a good area as Gomes saves and soon enough the final whistle blows on a big win for Watford.
Walter Mazzarri's charges climb to seventh in the Premier League table as a Stefano Okaka brace and Sebastian Prodl's header prove enough to beat Everton, who crumbled in the second half but embarked on a late rally - however, Romelu Lukaku's double proves in vain.
That's all we have time for here at Vicarage Road but stay with Sports Mole as we bring you the match report and reaction from this game, plus goal updates from the rest of the Premier League matches as well as all of the day's big football! Thanks for following and see you soon!
Written by
Giuseppe Labellarte
Giuseppe Labellarte
