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Watford go top as Fulham slip

last updated Wednesday 25th October 2000, 1:56 PM
Jean Tigana’s Fulham lost their first match of the season last night as unbeaten Watford went top of Division One.

Fulham, who had dropped their first points in a 0-0 draw at Wolves on Saturday, failed to score again. They went down 1-0 at home to fellow promotion contenders Preston. Michael Appleton scored the winner with a swerving 69th-minute corner which bounced off Fulham keeper Maik Taylor into the net. Victory lifted Preston into third place behind Fulham.

Fulham skipper Chris Coleman said: "Maybe we’ve been believing our publicity. There’s been a lot of hype and perhaps we’ve been listening too much. The goal we let in was poor. You wouldn’t see that on a public park."

Graham Taylor’s Watford moved a point clear at the top after beating Bolton 1-0 in a battle of attrition at Vicarage Road. Tommy Mooney scored the only goal from the penalty spot after Anthony Barness had handled.

Watford boss Taylor admitted the game had not been pretty to watch. He said: "We’re going to get a lot of these matches where we have to grind out a result. It’s important to win these tight games against teams who are close to us in the table."

West Bromwich moved up to fourth after beating relegated Wimbledon 3-1. Jason Roberts, Jason Van Blerk and Eric Sneekes scored their goals. Wimbledon manager Terry Burton said: "We didn’t defend properly. It seems every time we come up against quality strikers, we’re found wanting."
Source KEVIN CONNOLLY, Goalnetwork.com
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