Burnley stung by Watford
By Adam Marshall. Last Updated: January 1, 1970 1:00am
Controversy ruled in Watford's 3-1 victory over Burnley, with Hornets goalkeeper Ben Foster lucky to remain on the pitch after conceding a first half penalty.
Marlon King had already opened the scoring when Foster came out and felled Ade Akinbiyi but was not dismissed for a professional foul before Garreth O' Connor converted the resultant penalty.
A deflected Gavin Mahon shot restored Watford's lead, but Matthew Spring's debut goal came as Burnley keeper Brian Jensen was left prostrate on the ground injured.
King had already threatened for the hosts before another debutant, Malky Mackay's long ball put him clear and he slotted home with aplomb.
Foster appeared to have got the ball as he conceded the penalty, but referee Matt Messias should have dismissed the on-loan keeper after giving the foul.
Mahon was delighted when his speculative shot hit the back of Graham Branch in a highly makeshift Clarets defence, and looped over Jensen.
The second half saw Akinbiyi threaten for Burnley, but the scoring was wrapped up by Watford, with Jensen hurt on the edge of his box, when Spring fired home after Darius Henderson's pass.
Matches
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npower Championship
Table
npower Championship
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardiff City | 46 | 87 |
| 2 | Hull City | 46 | 79 |
| 3 | Watford | 46 | 77 |
| 4 | Brighton and Hove Albion | 46 | 75 |
| 5 | Crystal Palace | 46 | 72 |
| 6 | Leicester City | 46 | 68 |
| 7 | Bolton Wanderers | 46 | 68 |
| 8 | Nottingham Forest | 46 | 67 |
| 9 | Charlton Athletic | 46 | 65 |
| 10 | Derby County | 46 | 61 |
| 11 | Burnley | 46 | 61 |
| 12 | Birmingham City | 46 | 61 |
| 13 | Leeds United | 46 | 61 |
| 14 | Ipswich Town | 46 | 60 |
| 15 | Blackpool | 46 | 59 |
| 16 | Middlesbrough | 46 | 59 |
| 17 | Blackburn Rovers | 46 | 58 |
| 18 | Sheffield Wednesday | 46 | 58 |
| 19 | Huddersfield Town | 46 | 58 |
| 20 | Millwall | 46 | 56 |
| 21 | Barnsley | 46 | 55 |
| 22 | Peterborough United | 46 | 54 |
| 23 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 46 | 51 |
| 24 | Bristol City | 46 | 41 |
Marlon King
Garreth O'Connor
Gavin Mahon
Matthew Spring
