The pace, power and finishing of Fulham's Barry Hayles was too much for Watford
with the runaway leaders chalking up their biggest win of the season.
Hayles grabbed an easy hat-trick in five Fulham goals. No wonder every other
side in the First Division has already given up on the championship.
In mid-November this fixture looked like being an early title decider.
That was before Watford's alarming slump, and Graham Taylor's side have now
collected only one point in 24 to be the country's most off-colour team.
They were not the first to come to Craven Cottage and feel the power and strength
of this excellent Fulham side.
Hayles was a handful all afternoon, also winning the 30th minute penalty that
opened the floodgates after Watford had offered well-organised resistance for
the opening period.
He was bundled down by Darren Ward when trying to turn 12 yards out, giving
Louis Saha the chance to score his 21st goal of the season from the penalty
spot.
Hayles had previously been closest to scoring after a typically bustling run
took him past two defenders before testing goalkeeper Espen Baardsen from close
range.
He finally got his goal after 43 minutes, adding two more after 55 and 74.
The former Bristol Rovers striker's first arrived after Watford failed to deal
with a Fabian Fernandes corner and he tapped in from close range.
Lee Clark, an expert on winning promotion from this division with Newcastle
and Sunderland, is surely set for a third First Division winners' medal. His
promptings and tackling in midfield makes him one of the division's best, and
it was his good work down the left that handed Hayles an easy tap-in for the
striker's second goal.
More poor defending gave Hayles his first Fulham hat-trick. Bjarni Goldbaek's
right-wing free-kick was headed, too easily, past Espen Baardsen from six yards.
Sub Andrejs Stolcers made it a nap hand for Fulham after more fine play from
Clark.
This was Jean Tigana's side's 19th win in 24 fixtures this season, and as
easy as any others that preceded this Boxing Day massacre.
Watford offered little resistance. Heidar Helguson's 10th minute header was
well-saved by Maik Taylor, and it seemed as if they would give Fulham a real
test early on.
But with new signings Carlton Palmer and Paolo Vernazza unable to add guile
in their outplayed midfield, Watford made few chances when the game was alive.
In the second half their chances were few and of the optimistic variety. Tommy
Mooney did find a way past Chris Coleman but shot hurriedly at Maik Taylor after
62 minutes.
Allan Nielsen had his side's clearest opening when firing wide of the advancing
goalkeeper after 70 minutes, and when Taylor finally had a tough save to make
it was with four minutes left when Tommy Smith was denied from close range.
Watford still need about eight points to be safe from relegation, such is
the form that they are in!
Fulham are surely booking a Premiership ticket. The only question is when,
not if.
Fulham: Taylor, Finnan, Brevett, Melville, Coleman (Symons 77), Clark,
Hayles, Goldbaek, Saha (Boa Morte 72), Davis, Fernandes (Stolcers 63).
Booked: Fernandes (16), dissent
Davis (90), foul
Subs Not Used: Hahnemann, Sahnoun.
Goals: Saha 29 pen, Hayles 42, 56, 75, Stolcers 77.
Watford: Baardsen, Cox (Noel-Williams 71), Robinson, S Palmer, C Palmer,
Hyde (Smith 72), Mooney, Helguson, Ward, Vernazza, Nielsen.
Subs Not Used: Chamberlain, Kennedy, Panayi.
Booked: Ward, Robinson, Mooney, Vernazza.
Att: 19,373
Referee: M Fletcher (Warley)
Source sky by Dean gripton