Graham's high five hammers Town

Danny Graham scored in his fifth successive match as Watford got their Championship play-off challenge back on track with a 3-0 win at Ipswich.

Last Updated: 15/03/11 at 22:35 Post Comment

Graham: In great form for the Hornets

Graham: In great form for the Hornets

Watford striker Graham struck his 24th goal of the season in the 61st minute after his side had spent much of the game stoutly defending an early advantage given to them by Troy Deeney, while Don Cowie slammed home a third for the visitors in stoppage time.

Victory lifted the Hornets up into seventh place, within four points of the top six, while Ipswich, who have now failed to beat Watford in their last 13 attempts, slipped to a fifth defeat since Paul Jewell replaced Roy Keane as manager.

Ipswich defender Gareth McAuley hit the post with a first-half header as the home side looked to cancel out Deeney's third-minute opener and continued to dominate until Graham's hammer blow, from which the Tractor Boys failed to recover.

Both sides made just one change from the weekend, with midfielder Mark Kennedy returning for Ipswich and Adam Thompson replacing injured Watford defender Lee Hodson.

Watford owed their early lead to Graham, whose cushioned header from the left side of the six-yard box fell for Deeney to sweep the ball home into the bottom corner from 12 yards.

Ipswich's response was swift as Tamas Priskin headed over the crossbar and teenage striker Connor Wickham rifled a 30-yard shot wide.

Watford midfielder Ross Jenkins then blocked Carlos Edwards' shot and Town's McAuley headed Jimmy Bullard's corner over the bar.

McAuley powered another header against the post and Wickham's angled effort from inside the penalty area was well held by Watford goalkeeper Scott Loach.

Hornets midfielder John Eustace failed to trouble Ipswich goalkeeper Marton Fulop with a 25-yard shot before Priskin and then Bullard fired long-range efforts wide as the home side continued to dominate up until half-time as they went in search of an equaliser.

But Watford served warning they were capable of adding to their lead five minutes after break when Thompson raced on to Eustace's cut back and fired an angled drive just over.

Ipswich manager Paul Jewell sent on recent loan signing Kieron Dyer in the 53rd minute, the former Portman Road crowd favourite making his first home appearance for the Tractor Boys since returning to the club from West Ham.

But six minutes later, against the run of play, Ipswich fell further behind.

Eustace again caused the damage down the left, picking out Graham with an inch-perfect ball into the penalty area, which was despatched by the former Middlesbrough forward into the bottom corner.

Watford's second goal took the wind from Ipswich's sails and save for Wickham's weak shot from inside the area and Andy Drury's header from substitute Mark Kennedy's cross, the home side had nothing else to offer.

And to complete their misery, Watford midfielder Cowie lashed home a third goal from 25 yards for the visitors in stoppage time.

Football365 Facebook Fan Page

The Football365 fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

More Match Results

Monday, 13 May 2013
19:45
Brighton 0-2 C Palace Report
Sunday, 12 May 2013
12:30
Watford 3-1 Leicester Report
Friday, 10 May 2013
19:45
C Palace 0-0 Brighton Report
Thursday, 09 May 2013
Leicester 1-0 Watford Report
Saturday, 04 May 2013
12:45
Birmingham 1-1 Blackburn Report
Bolton 2-2 Blackpool Report
Brighton 2-0 Wolves Report
Burnley 2-0 Ipswich Report
Charlton 4-1 Bristol C Report
C Palace 3-2 Peterboro Report

npower Championship

Position Team P GD PTS
1 Cardiff 46 27 87
2 Hull City 46 9 79
3 Watford 46 27 77
4 Brighton 46 26 75
5 C Palace 46 11 72
6 Leicester 46 23 68
7 Bolton 46 8 68
8 N Forest 46 4 67
9 Charlton 46 6 65
10 Derby 46 3 61
11 Burnley 46 2 61
12 Birmingham 46 -6 61
13 Leeds 46 -9 61
14 Ipswich 46 -13 60
15 Blackpool 46 -1 59
16 Middlesbro' 46 -9 59
17 Blackburn 46 -7 58
18 Sheff Wed 46 -8 58
19 Huddersfld 46 -20 58
20 Millwall 46 -11 56
21 Barnsley 46 -14 55
22 Peterboro 46 -9 54
23 Wolves 46 -14 51
24 Bristol C 46 -25 41

Updated Sat, 04 May 2013

Footer 365

Champions League final: Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp says side can bounce back

Jurgen Klopp is backing Borussia Dortmund to reach another Champions League final despite their defeat to Bayern Munich.

Champions League final: Bayern Munich's Arjen Robben relieved by Wembley win

Bayern Munich hero Arjen Robben admitted winning the UEFA Champions League buried his previous demons.

Champions League final: Mats Hummels salutes Bayern Munich after Wembley win

Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels admitted Bayern Munich deserved to be crowned champions of Europe.

Mail Box

Wayne Rooney Is Just An Average Athlete

That's the difference between him and someone like Cristiano Ronaldo - his body just isn't right. We have mails on him, Sparky, Brendan Rodgers and the Europa Lge...

Saving The Europa League And More...

Nice one UEFA, but not far enough. We have some ideas to make the Europa League better as well as more views on Wayne Rooney, Vermaelen in midfield and...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved