West Ham forward Pablo Zabaleta comes forward and goes careering into Watford's Jose Holebas. That'll be a corner.

Watford have won just two of their last 15 visits to West Ham. But they looked in good shape at the end of the first half.

They were just shading possession (with 52%) and have looked very capable on the counter attack.

I'd imagine manager Javi Gracia simply told his players, 'same again' at half time.

Image source, Reuters

And we're back underway.

This doesn't quite have the Darth Vader v Obi Wan-kenobi feel to it but there is a little touch of master vs apprentice in this one.

That's because the West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini and Watford boss Javi Gracia have a little bit of previous.

Gracia began his managerial career as youth-team coach at Villareal the same year that Pellegrini was appointed as first team manager at El Madrigal.

And a decade later the Spaniard followed in the Chilean’s footsteps when he became manager of Malaga in 2014 – a year after Pellegrini had departed for Manchester City.

Unlike in Star Wars though, relations are pretty good between the main protagonists here.

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham may have won four on the spin but they are definitely missing this chap, the newly crowned Austrian Footballer of the Year, this afternoon.

The good news for West Ham fans is that Marko Arnautovic's hamstring injury is coming along nicely and he's expected back in action sooner rather than later.

He has of course enjoyed one of the best years in his career in Claret and Blue, scoring 11 Premier League goals in 2018 so far.

The 29-year-old's win is his first Austrian Footballer of the Year award with RB Leipzig's Marcel Sabitzer claiming the award in 2017.

Prior to that, it was a bit of a closed shop, with Bayern Munich's David Alaba winning it for six years on the spin.

And that is that. Well for now. Troy Deeney's goal separates the teams at the interval.

Image source, PA

There's got to be more goals in this. Neither team looks as though they can defend.

This time Gerard Deulofeu cuts West Ham's defence open with a cute pass to Troy Deeney but his striking partner's reverse ball is cut out.

That's more like it from West Ham. Michail Antonio knocks a ball down for Javier Hernandez but he's denied his 50th Premier League goal by Hornets keeper Ben Foster.

Good save that, down in the bottom right corner.

Image source, Reuters

Straight into the Watford wall from Robert Snodgrass. It would've been a travesty if anything had come from that.

That looks like a blatant dive from West Ham's Angelo Ogbonna. And it is.

West Ham with a free-kick in a dangerous area though as Robert Snodgrass lines-up an effort from 20-yards......

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It's not been a good afternoon for Fabian Balbuena. Not only did he pick up a yellow card when bringing down Roberto Pereyra, he also injured his knee.

And that's done for him this afternoon as he makes way for Angelo Ogbonna.

Image source, Getty Images

That's only Troy Deeney's third goal of the season for Watford. One better than at this stage last term though.

Leon Osman
Former Everton midfielder on Final Score

Very clinical. Troy Deeney never lacks self confidence. The perfect man to take the penalty.

Image source, Reuters

What was I saying a few minutes ago?

Jose Holebas, Gerard Deulofeu and Roberto Pereyra cut the hosts open with a neat move and Fabian Balbuena just takes Pereyra out as he's about to pull the trigger.

Penalty all day long. Troy Deeney will take it for Watford.

Image source, Getty Images

This game is wide open. And at the moment Watford are looking the more likely to score.

Jose Holebas has been directly involved in seven goals this season, scoring three and setting up four - more than any other Premier League defender.

And I can see why. He gallops on to Kiko Femenia's switch of play but the ball just won't sit and in the end the hosts smuggle it away for a corner.

Image source, Reuters

Stephen Warnock
Ex-Liverpool defender on Final Score

Manuel Pellegrini has done very well at West Ham. He's said nothing controversial about his players, just steadied the ship under the radar. That's what fans wanted, they wanted investment and he was a big integral part of that plan.

Image source, Reuters

Michail Antonio has scored six goals in his last eight league appearances against Watford and he's looking to add to that tally as he fizzes a shot in from 25-yards.

It's far from textbook goalkeeping from Watford's Ben Foster but he gets across his goal and parries the shot up into his face.

You shall not pass.

Watford get in down the left but Roberto Pereyra's right footed shot is blocked by Pablo Zabaleta.