Watford began their Premier League season with a 1-1 draw away to Southampton at St Mary's on Saturday.

The Hornets took the lead in the ninth minute of the game through a nerve-settling strike from Etienne Capoue. But the hosts looked the more likely to get the next goal in the game, and they did through Nathan Redmond on 58 minutes.

Walter Mazzarri’s side had to see out the closing stages after Ben Watson was dismissed late on, but the Hornets held on for a valuable point. Find out how each of the players got on as they began life under new head coach Mazzarri on the south coast.

Defensive unit solid against Saints

Heurelho Gomes (6 out of 10): Produced a few good saves through the game, but a lack of communication with his back line could cost him dearly on another day.

Sebastian Prodl (7 out of 10): Looked resilient for the majority of the game, keeping Shane Long fairly quiet, and didn’t allow the Saints to play.

Craig Cathcart (7 out of 10): Also looked good through the match, he kept Long and the Saints attacking quartet at bay for some time during the game.

Miguel Britos (6 out of 10): His decision to pass the ball back to his ‘keeper after two minutes was bizarre and could have left him red-faced, but he also looked solid.

Jose Holebas (7 out of 10): A questionable pre-season from Holebas, but he pulled a performance out the bag when he needed to, a fine display.

Guedioura looks to get the Hornets going forward. | Photo: Action Images
Guedioura looks to get the Hornets going forward. | Photo: Action Images

Brilliant display in midfield

Adlene Guediora (7 out of 10): The Hornets seem to play better with Guediora in the side, and the Algerian played well in a deeper role.

Etienne Capoue (9 out of 10): Capoue thoroughly deserved his goal, which was taken very calmly, and he got the Hornets going forward on numerous occasions.

Valon Behrami (7 out of 10): Carried out a lot of unnoticed work in the midfield to stop the Saints flowing forward like they normally do.

Nordin Amrabat (7 out of 10): Provided the inch-perfect cross, which put the Hornets ahead in the game, he was a threat down the flank throughout the match.

Mazzarri giving out orders from the touchline. | Photo: Action Images
Mazzarri giving out orders from the touchline. | Photo: Action Images

Strikers out of sorts

Odion Ighalo (5 out of 10): A quiet afternoon for last-season’s prolific scorer, he struggled to get settled and was not effective in the game.

Troy Deeney (6 out of 10): Just like Ighalo, the skipper didn’t have the best of afternoons, but was kept quiet by the Saints back line.

Substitutes make little impact

Ben Watson (2 out of 10): Watson was only on the field for a matter of 12 minutes before he was sent off for a bad foul, and it left the Hornets having to defend in the closing stages.

Juan Camilo Zuniga (6 out of 10): The summer signing looked to bring another depth to the game, but only had 17 minutes at the end.

Ikechy Anya (N/A): Replaced Ighalo with a matter of minutes to go, not enough time to make an impact.

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About the author
Andrew McDonnell
Sports writer based in the North-East of England, safe to say I have found my niche in sports writing and I strive to succeed with everything I do, including Vavel, both in the UK and USA. First official Writer of the week for the USA office too. Cover Manchester United, Watford, Cricket, MLS and NFL.