With both sides having cruised to victory on the opening weekend of the 2023/24 EFL Championship season, Stoke City and Watford would both feel confident of recording an additional three points at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday.
STO: Travers; Wilmot, Rose, McNally; Stevens, Johnson, Laurent, Thompson, Hoever; Vidigal, Wesley
WAT: Bachmann; Morris, Hoedt, Porteous, Andrews; Louza, Livemrore, Dele-Bashiru; Martins, Bayo, Sema
In a game that had lacked action throughout the majority of the first half, it was Stoke that fashioned the first chance. Bachmann was equal to the opportunity though, ensuring the game would remain goalless for a little while longer.
Despite a dull first-half affair, the hosts found the opening goal at the start of the second half. Vidigal’s third goal of the season proved to be decisive, with the Portuguese star using his chest to control the ball before thundering a volley into the back of the net.
Travers was called into action in the second half to help preserve the Potters’ lead, crashing down to his left-hand side to push Asprilla’s effort away from the onrushing Watford gang.
Sema unleashed a powerful effort that flew wide of the woodwork as the Watford pressure began to mount – and the Hornets were denied a penalty after Chakvetadze was hauled to the ground by a Stoke defender.
But despite Watford’s late pressure, Vidigal’s opener was enough for the hosts to clinch three points at the bet365 Stadium. They’ll travel to Millwall on Saturday, while Watford prepare to host Blackburn Rovers on Sunday.
