Holebas gives Watford win at Middlesbrough in Premier League

Watford moved past their disappointing results against Burnley and Bournemouth with a scrappy win against struggling Middlesbrough.

The North-East club have had an inconsistent return to the league, they’ve won just once and have only picked up two points from their last five games. In all honesty they didn’t play their best as they still search for consistency under Walter Mazzarri, but if nothing else the entertainment value of the Hornets this season has been high.

Watford are set to welcome back Miguel Britos for Sunday’s trip to Middlesbrough after the defender recovered from a groin injury.

Karanka will now be feeling the heat, with Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea and Leicester City among Boro’s next five fixtures, while Watford are into the top half on the back of their second away win of the campaign.

The way Watford play, it’s all about creating chances for the front two rather than sharing the goals around.

The 32-year-old Greek worldwide was sharp and aggressive in robbing Cristhian Stuani 35 yards out. They’re really experienced players. “I don’t know how many times they went to the floor or how many minutes it took them to put the ball in”. I knew for him, it was going to be hard. Why do we have to change? A third defeat in four leaves them only a point above the bottom three, and facing up to a hard season. We have been working on it for it not to happen again.

“We’ve just got to keep going, fight for a level of consistency”. Not everyone is happy at the moment.

Asked if Boro are getting a raw deal from referees, he replied: “They can waste time, do what they want”.

“There will be many more tests to come, but if we perform like I know we can then we will be fine”.

The home side appealed unsuccessfully for a penalty early in the second half when Negredo went to ground following a challenge by Holebas.

Player ratingsMiddlesbrough: Victor Valdes 5, Antonio Barragan 5, Calum Chambers 6, Ben Gibson 7, George Friend 6, Marten de Roon 5, Adam Forshaw 6, Cristhian Stuani 5, Gaston Ramirez 7, Stewart Downing 7, Alvaro Negredo 6.

It was Watford’s first shot on target but enough to give them the points.

“Time-wasting? I don’t think so!”