Nigel Pearson says Watford's win at Bournemouth is "not a season-changing result" despite climbing out of the bottom three.

Watford manager Nigel Pearson praises the "exceptional work rate" from his side in their 3-0 win over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe admits his side are in a "difficult moment" after their 3-0 home loss to Premier League relegation rivals Watford.

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport at Vitality Stadium

The away fans were singing "we can see you sneaking out" when the score was still 2-0, but the Bournemouth supporters began leaving in droves when the third goal went in. The home sections were barely half full by the time Mike Dean blew the final whistle, and - it doesn't happen often here - there were a few boos.

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport at Vitality Stadium

Roberto Pereyra, spared a suspension today after his FA Cup red card was overturned, is energetically warming up as Watford prepare their first change.

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport at Vitality Stadium

Another formation change. Ryan Fraser is now covering pretty much the entire left-hand side, with Adam Smith pushed into Harry Wilson's role on the right of midfield. Sam Surridge is up top with Callum Wilson, with Dominic Solanke playing just behind then.

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport at Vitality Stadium

Bournemouth have switched their defence to how we'd expected them to start. Simon Francis has gone to right-back, Nathan Ake alongside Steve Cook in the middle, with Adam Smith switching to left-back on the near side. Meanwhile, Watford skipper Troy Deeney continues to keep them all busy as the Hornets' lone striker.

The Cherries are readying England Under-21 striker Sam Surridge, recently recalled from his loan spell at Swansea.

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport at Vitality Stadium

It looks as though someone may have smuggled a flare into the away section, a cloud of yellow smoke in the middle of the Watford fans takes a while to dissipate. Stewards in attendance.

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport at Vitality Stadium

Nathan Ake looks to be in some pain. He was holding his lower back just before that Watford counter-attack, gritted his teeth to track back with Ismaila Sarr.

Bournemouth have a left-back on the bench in Diego Rico, but it's central midfield duo Philip Billing and Lewis Cook who are being readied to come on.

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport at Vitality Stadium

Bournemouth (champions), Watford (runners-up) and Norwich (play-off winners) were the three teams promoted from the Championship in 2015 - though the Canaries have been down, and then back up, since then.

The same three teams occupied the relegation places this morning. And on current form, it would take a major turnaround for all three to escape the drop this term.

(And, is Neil the Stoke fan aware that Eddie Howe was actually signed as a youth player here while Tony Pulis was Cherries manager?)

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport at Vitality Stadium

Mark Travers will not want to watch that goal on Match of the Day 2 tonight (22:30 GMT on BBC One).

A Travers-ty of his own making?

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport at Vitality Stadium

As well as Watford's high pressing, their extra man in central midfield has meant Bournemouth's best spells have been when they've got the ball wide.

The atmosphere in the stands is a little nervy, and there's not much emotion shown in the technical areas. Nigel Pearson and his assistant Craig Shakespeare have grabbed a bottle of water apiece while their opposite numbers Eddie Howe and Jason Tindall stand, arms folded, impassive.

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport at Vitality Stadium

The sun's gone in, but the weather is certainly milder than your average football fan might expect in mid-January.

As if to underline the point, Watford manager Nigel Pearson sheds his outer coat, and is now sporting a Tim Sherwood-style gilet over his tracksuit.

Image source, Getty Images

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport at Vitality Stadium

No rest for the injured. Bournemouth goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, out with a minor hamstring problem today, is behind the goal in the Steve Fletcher Stand to help crank up the home fans in their most vocal area.

Eddie Howe called this match "season-defining," and the Cherries have also handed out thousands of flags to add to the carnival atmosphere. But Watford have travelled in good numbers, with plenty of yellow and black on show in the away section.

Watford are normally never shy of wearing their away strip on the road, even when there's not a clash - but clearly referee Mike Dean is happy with their yellow and black halved home shirts, worn today, providing enough contrast with Bournemouth's red and black stripes.

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport at Vitality Stadium

With both sides making two changes in defence, both managers will hope for a tighter performance than the madcap 3-3 draw here between these sides a year and 10 days ago.

Watford had led 2-0 before an unbelievable spell of four goals in six minutes before the interval - Hornets captain Troy Deeney said afterwards "the defending from both teams was Sunday League at best".

Well, it's Sunday today...

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport at Vitality Stadium

Striker Luther Blissett is a true Watford legend, holding the club record for most appearances and most goals, across three spells between 1975 and 1993. However, he is still fondly remembered by Bournemouth supporters of a certain age, having fired 56 goals for the Cherries in three seasons under Harry Redknapp, in between his second and third Watford spells.

Luther himself tweeted, external before the corresponding match at Vicarage Road in October that Watford v Bournemouth was "Blissett derby day". I suspect he may be here today - a spotter's badge to anyone who can locate him.

Image source, Getty Images

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport at Vitality Stadium

Eddie Howe hinted on Friday that he could welcome back one or two of his walking wounded - and the team sheet brings confirmation that Nathan Ake and Adam Smith return to the defence, having missed six and seven matches respectively.

But in terms of the Cherries treatment room it's two in, two out, as centre-back Chris Mepham faces three months out with a knee problem, while keeper Aaron Ramsdale misses his first league game of the season with what the club describes as "a minor injury".

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport at Vitality Stadium

With the three teams in the bottom seven who were in action yesterday - Brighton, Burnley and Norwich - all having lost, there is an enormous incentive if either side can take advantage this afternoon.

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe said on Friday: "This is a massive game - the players know that, the crowd know how much we're going to need them this weekend to create an atmosphere. We've got a key run coming up against teams around us. We need points, and we need points quickly.

"We need to create that feeling that we're invincible here. Teams used to really fear coming here, a small ground with a really good atmosphere. We need that feeling back, which only we can create as a team. We have to show how much this game means to us."

He adds in his programme notes today: "Today marks the start of a season-defining period for us."

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