Watford 1-0 West Bromwich Albion

Troy Deeney scored in his 300th league appearance for Watford - he also scored on his 50th, 100th, 150th, 200th and 250th for the club

West Brom boss Alan Pardew has admitted his job is on the line after a 1-0 defeat by Watford saw his side slump to their fifth successive league defeat and stay rooted to the bottom of the Premier League.

Troy Deeney profited from a West Brom mistake, as Grzegorz Krychowiak gave away the ball in midfield and Will Hughes played in the Watford captain, who coolly clipped the ball over Ben Foster in the 77th minute.

Moments earlier Kieran Gibbs had cleared Stefano Okaka's close-range shot off the line.

Pardew's side are now eight points from safety, with just one league win since August.

"If the consequences from this defeat are that I lose my job then that will be what it is," said Pardew, who succeeded Tony Pulis on 29 November.

The former Crystal Palace boss has won just eight points since his appointment and there were reports that defeat at Vicarage Road would bring to an end his time with the Baggies after 18 games.

Pardew added: "It has turned into a personal situation, but this is about West Brom and not about me.

"I have got no message to the board. I don't think it is anything to do with that.

"I am employed to be the manager of this football team and I try to put out a side that I think has got a chance of delivering the win.

"All I can hope, and what I think was on the surface today, was a commitment from the players to address the situation. Unfortunately for us we came out the wrong side of it."

Meanwhile, Watford move into the top half of the table into ninth and continue their good progress under Javi Gracia.

• Premier League relegation: Who will go down?

Clouds gather for Pardew

Reports of a dressing room bust-up were the latest negative headlines to come out of the Hawthorns this week.

Baggies midfielder Chris Brunt had reportedly rowed with Pardew and his team-mates after the defeat by Huddersfield Town, while the Albion head coach was given the dreaded vote of confidence by the owners.

Pardew responded by starting Northern Ireland international Brunt as he made two changes, with Jake Livermore making his first league start since 2 January.

The first half was short on chances for either side, with Grzegorz Krychowia's close range volley blocked, while Ben Foster did well to get an outstretched foot to Daryl Janmaat's shot on 38 minutes.

Both sides improved after the break and Salomon Rondon had a couple of chances, the best of which saw Orestis Karnezis comfortably save his shot on 51 minutes, while Jonny Evans also hit the outside of the post.

The visitors had defended resolutely in a tight game, until Deeney's winner undid all their hard work.

The statistics after the defeat are damning:

• West Brom are now on their worst league run since January 2011, when they last lost five in a row.

• They have just three wins in 38 league matches dating back to March last year.

• Won just one of their last 27 Premier League games (W1 D11 L15).

• Since Pardew took over they have won eight points - the fewest in the league in that time.

• They have also scored the fewest goals in that time (10).

West Brom have nine games to save themselves, with three of their next four fixtures at home. However, their run-in includes tough games against Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester United.

"We have got nine games left and there are still a lot of points to play for," added Pardew. "A win can change the dynamic, but when you look at our win and goal ratio you question that."

Watford close in on safety

It was another solid display by Watford under Gracia with the Hornets winning all three of their Premier League home games under the Spaniard.

Since Gracia took over at Vicarage Road, they have won three out of five Premier League games and taken 10 points.

With 36 points, they are nine points from the bottom three and are closing in on safety for the third successive season.

One negative was Richarlison's reaction to being substituted for Okaka in the 54th minute following a frustrating display.

Man of the match - Troy Deeney

Troy Deeney took his goal with aplomb, the Watford captain scoring in successive matches for the first time since March 2017

'One mistake proved costly' - what they said

West Brom manager Alan Pardew: "It was a really tight game. I feel for the players because we made one mistake in the game and it has been costly.

"We could definitely do with a break. The players gave me everything today and I cannot ask for more than that.

"It is tough but it isn't about me it about West Brom and it is tough for the fans and the players.

"We won't give up the fight, we will keep going until we get something. It is tough to stand in front of players and say you haven't really done much wrong today. Mistakes happen in football.

"It is just a shame, I think the fans who travelled today would have seen we did everything. Last week we let ourselves down. Next week we have to show the fans a little more of what we showed today."

Watford boss Javi Gracia: "I don't waste my time thinking about that [being safe from relegation]. I am only focused on the next match and the next three points. I think this is the best mentality for the team.

"I am happy at this moment but only focused on the next match."

What's next?

Watford's next fixture is a Premier League trip to Arsenal on 11 March (13:30 GMT). West Brom are in action a day earlier on Saturday, 10 March, as they host Leicester City at The Hawthorns (15:00 GMT).