Ken Sema struck his first goal of the season in spectacular fashion to earn Watford a 1-0 win over Swansea.
Harry Darling and Matt Grimes went the closest to scoring for the hosts in the first half while Vakoun Bayo should have netted for the Hornets in what was a tight affair.
Kristian Pedersen thought he had put the Swans ahead after 72 minutes when he headed Grimes’ corner beyond Daniel Bachmann, but the effort was ruled out.
And visiting substitute Sema’s piledriver in the 82nd minute ensured Watford left south Wales with all three points.
Both sides were welcomed onto the pitch by a somewhat tame fireworks display.
And it was the hosts who looked to provide fans with a proper spark early on as they wasted a glorious opening to take the lead.
Having had his initial free-kick cleared, Jamie Paterson’s pinpoint cross found Darling unmarked in the Watford box, but the defender failed to make enough contact with his head to test Bachmann.
The Hornets threatened on the counter attack and forced Brighton loanee Carl Rushworth into a smart save as he kept out Tom Ince’s strike after Jamal Lewis crossed from the left.
But, in truth, the meek pre-match booms and bangs proved to be a surprising highlight.
Both goalkeepers survived minor scares as Edo Kayembe drilled wide following a risky pass from Swansea’s Rushworth to Jay Fulton before Bachmann raced back to gather Grimes’ audacious lobbed effort from 45 yards out moments later.
Swansea took the direct approach in their quest to break the deadlock shortly after the half-hour mark as Harrison Ashby, Liam Cullen and Fulton combined to tee up Grimes whose curling strike was tipped behind by Bachmann.
The clearest opening fell to Bayo who was beautifully picked out at the back post by Jeremy Ngakia two minutes before half-time, although the Ivory Coast international headed straight at Rushworth from point-blank range to ensure the score remained level at the break.
Valerien Ismael’s outfit improved after the restart and saw Francisco Sierralta head over from Sema’s corner nine minutes into the second half.
Both sides made changes after the hour mark in a bid to snatch a winner – with Ollie Cooper and Josh Tymon being summoned by Swansea boss Michael Duff while Yaser Asprilla and Mileta Rajovic came on for the visitors.
The latter had a shot blocked shortly after entering the fray, although Watford thought they had gone behind with 18 minutes left.
Pedersen met Grimes’ corner and headed into the net, but referee Andrew Kitchen disallowed the effort after spotting a foul in the box.
Sema, who was introduced at half-time, then had what was ultimately the final say eight minutes from time as his thumping effort flew beyond Rushworth, with Bachmann twice denying Darling at the end to ensure Watford clinched back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
Ronaldo delivers another hat-trick as Al Nassr ease past Al Wedha
Cristiano Ronaldo crafted a decisive hat-trick as Al Nassr hammered Al Wedha 6-0 in Saturday's Saudi Pro League meeting.
Portugal veteran Ronaldo found the net twice in the first 12 minutes at Al Awal Park before completing his treble after the interval.
Sadio Mane teed up Ronaldo's third finish, as well as an 18th-minute strike from Otavio, who returned the favour for the Senegal international to score on the stroke of half-time.
Mohammed Al Fatil added a late sixth as Al Nassr recorded their seventh straight league win since their March 7 loss against Al Raed, moving them back within nine points of leaders Al Hilal.
Jorge Jesus's Al Hilal swept Al Tauwoon aside in a 3-0 away triumph on Friday for their fourth straight victory across all competitions.
Talisman Aleksandar Mitrovic opened the scoring at King Abdullah Sport City Stadium before Saud Abdulhamid and Saleh Alsherhi wrapped up a win that kept Al Hilal in charge of the title race.
There was no such fortune for fifth-placed Al Ittihad as they fell to a third straight defeat in all competitions after a 3-1 loss away against Abha.
Jota levelled after Grzegorz Krychowiak's 57th-minute penalty, only for Hassan Al-Ali and Fabian Noguera to power hosts Abha to a comfortable win.
Pioli focused on Genoa clash as speculation intensifies over Milan exit
Milan's disappointing campaign has put Stefano Pioli under scrutiny but his full concentration remains on a positive end to the season.
The Rossoneri are second in Serie A but 19 points adrift of champions Inter, and their fans suffered witnessing their fierce rivals secure the Scudetto in the recent derby win at San Siro.
That has only increased media reports about Pioli's dismissal once the season ends, with fans also protesting at the situation Milan face.
"My task shouldn't be complicated, there are four games left," Pioli told a press conference before Sunday's home game against Genoa.
"It's true that outside they talk about everything except the games, but not us. We have a great sense of responsibility. Then we'll see what the future is at the end of the season."
Some Italian reports have suggested Pioli could move to Napoli, though the Milan head coach refuted those claims.
"No thoughts, other than the next four games. At the end of the season, I'll meet with Milan and we'll see what to do," Pioli said.
"You've waited a long time, wait a little longer to talk about the future, the work is not done. The reality is I have another year on my contract with Milan and I won't speak to any other club while I'm under contract."
The atmosphere is tense around the club, and Milan ultras have announced they will not support the team against Genoa, remaining in silence without any banners or flags, as a form of protest against the owners.
"Our fans have always been an added value, especially in difficult moments. And I don't forget it," Pioli continued.
"They have taken this position and we respect it, then we have to do everything to win the game."
Milan have a five-point lead over Juventus in third and Genoa are 12th on 42 points, moving out of relegation danger.
Arteta lauds Saka hunger after Arsenal put pressure on Man City
Mikel Arteta lauded the consistency of Bukayo Saka and his increased hunger to win after Saturday's routine 3-0 victory over Bournemouth at Etihad Stadium.
The Gunners swept aside Bournemouth as Saka's penalty opened the scoring before late second-half finishes from Leandro Trossard and Declan Rice sealed another much-needed victory.
With two games to spare, Arsenal have equalled their Premier League win tally from last season (26), only in 1930-31 (28) and 1970-71 (29) have the Gunners won more games in a single top-flight campaign.
That is in large part thanks to Saka, who became the first player to score 20 goals for Arsenal in a season (all competitions) since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in 2019-20 (29 goals).
He is also the first Englishman to do so for the club since Theo Walcott in 2012-13 (21 goals) and Arteta was quick to praise star winger Saka.
"The level of consistency compared to last year is very similar," the Arsenal manager said at his post-match press conference.
"There are areas he's better in. I see a different edge to him in the way he competes. He loves winning more than three months ago."
Kai Haverz won Saka's first-half penalty, though Bournemouth may feel the Arsenal forward triggered contact with goalkeeper Mark Travers.
The Cherries also had a goal disallowed at 2-0 down when Dominic Solanke was adjudged to have fouled David Raya before Antoine Semenyo turned into an empty net.
A lengthy VAR check followed both decisions but Arteta refused to comment on either incident, suggesting he had not seen them back yet.
"The honest answer is I haven't seen any of the incidents because I knew you were going to ask me," he added.
"They said do you want to see it and I said no so I can give you an honest answer!"
All 10 of Arsenal’s outfield starters attempted at least one shot in this game, the first time this has happened in a Premier League game for the Gunners since January 2022 against Burnley.
Gabriel Magalhaes almost got in the act but his strike was ruled out late on for offside, before Rice managed to add gloss to a dominant performance.
Rice was playing for West Ham last season as Arsenal capitulated in the title race against Man City, though the England international is hoping for a different outcome this time around.
"I wasn't here last year but I can sense that we are embracing it," the Arsenal midfielder told TNT Sports as Man City prepare to host Wolves later on Saturday.
"Man City are a machine and they don't lose many. Anything can happen in football. Surprises can happen and miracles can happen and we just have to stay focused."
Arsenal will continue to go about their business in hope of Man City slipping up, the Gunners have won 14 of their 16 Premier League games in 2024 (D1 L1), scoring 51 goals and conceding just eight in reply.
Indeed, the Gunners have won the most points in the competition since the turn of the year (43), but Arteta's side remain reliant on favours from elsewhere in the title race.
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