Darren Fletcher volley helps Stoke City defeat Watford

A stunning Darren Fletcher volley has given Stoke City a 1-0 win over Watford in Saturday's Premier League encounter at Vicarage Road.

The Potters went into the match having won just one of their last seven in the league, but a resilient performance saw them grab their first away victory of the season.

The first half was a largely drab and disjointed affair, lit up by Stoke's opening goal - which would turn out to be the winner - 16 minutes into the game.

Xherdan Shaqiri, on his return from injury, whipped a corner kick into the box, which Fletcher met with a volley on his right foot to fire beyond Heurelho Gomes.

Marco Silva's side, who began the day sixth in the table, enjoyed long periods of possession throughout but did not have a shot until just before the hour.

In the 56th minute, Richarlison could only find the side-netting from a tight angle after Andre Carrillo headed Etienne Capoue's cross back across the face of goal.

Substitute Andre Gray skewed a shot wide as Watford piled the pressure on towards the end of the encounter but were frustrated by Stoke's defence as the visitors held on for all three points.

The result sees Mark Hughes's side edge up to 13th in the table, while Watford slip to seventh place.