Watford 2 Crystal Palace 1: Pereyra on target after Capoue's lucky escape

Roberto Pereyra and Jose Holebas were on target as Watford beat Crystal Palace 2-1, but Etienne Capoue was fortunate not to be sent off.

Watford and Roberto Pereyra continued their flying starts to the Premier League season as Javi Gracia's men made it three wins out of three, by beating Crystal Palace 2-1.

Argentinian attacker Pereyra was once again Watford's inspiration, curling home a measured 20-yard finish in the 53rd minute to back up a sparking opening-day brace against Brighton and Hove Albion.

Jose Holebas netted a fortuitous second 19 minutes from time as his cross from the left wing looped over goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey and into the far corner.

READ: Zaha could play for Real Madrid - Souness

It meant that Palace was unable to bounce back from Monday's 2-0 loss to Liverpool and the visitor was entitled to be aggrieved after Etienne Capoue was only booked for an ugly fourth-minute rake down Wilfried Zaha's ankle.

Zaha, thankfully, escaped unscathed and steered a shot through Ben Foster's legs in the 78th minute to set up a grandstand finish.

His team made the early running at a sodden Vicarage Road, although Christian Benteke's dwindling confidence was on show.

The Belgium striker sent a tame diving header wide before failing to direct a second effort downwards, allowing Foster to claw away.

At the start of the second half, Hennessey spread himself to make an eye-watering save at close quarters from Will Hughes.

The host was in the ascendancy by the time it took the lead. The sight of Zaha being dispossessed and Capoue driving forward to set up Pereyra's superb finish will undoubtedly have irked Roy Hodgson.

In the 70th minute, Benteke recovered some of the poise of old as brilliant chest control allowed him to whistle a shot just past the post. Holebas responded with far less precision, but much greater effect.

Zaha collected substitute Max Meyer's pass to become Palace's all-time Premier League top scorer and it should have claimed a point when Joel Ward planted a free header wide in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

 

What it means: Hornets flying high

Watford has won its first three games of a Premier League season for the first time and is only behind pacesetter Liverpool on goal difference. Meyer's lively cameo offered encouragement for Hodgson, given Zaha shoulders far too much of the creative burden at present.

Pat on the back: Pereyra's purple patch continues

Few would have backed Watford's gifted Argentinian attacker be at the top of the Premier League scorers' charts at the end of August, but there he sits alongside countryman Sergio Aguero, former teammate Richarlison and Sadio Mane. It was another marvellous finish from the 27-year-old and Vicarage Road came alive whenever he was on the ball.

Boot up the backside: Shameful moment for Capoue

The ex-Tottenham man put in a typically industrious performance in the Watford midfield, laying on the opener. But, he should never have had the opportunity to do so after the sort of challenge that has no place on a football field.

What’s next?

A third Premier League defeat in succession at home to Southampton next weekend would paint a grim picture of what is to come for Hodgson's men, while Watford faces a thorough examination of its lofty status against Tottenham. First up, the teams tackle respective midweek trips to Swansea City and Reading in the EFL Cup.