Brighton have won their opening two topflight games for the first time.
Graham Potter’s side built on their opening-day, comeback win over Burnley with a good performance in front of their own fans against a Watford side who rarely threatened.
The Hornets set the tone for a sloppy performance from the start, managing just two touches from kick-off before giving the ball away, and they produced only one shot on target in the entire game.
It was a welcome return to the Amex for Brighton defender Shane Duffy, who scored the opening goal on 10 minutes.
After last season’s well-documented, difficult loan spell with Celtic, the centre-back rose highest from Pascal Gross’ corner to beat Watford goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann with a powerful header.
With the first half looking to have petered out, Neal Maupay doubled the Seagulls’ lead four minutes before half-time after Yves Bissouma capitalised on some lazy Watford defending.
The Malian pounced on William Ekong’s loose pass to Tom Cleverley to play in Maupay, who took one touch on the edge of the box before firing past Bachmann.
It is the first time since October 2020 that the Frenchman has scored in consecutive Premier League games.
The assist was nothing short of what Bissouma deserved after another big Brighton performance, and the midfielder made the most of the returning fans at the Amex, lapping up every bit of praise after the full-time whistle.
Ishaq Mustafa
