Yohan Cabaye scored the winner as Crystal Palace recorded a 1-0 victory at Watford in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
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The two teams were level approaching the final 20 minutes at Vicarage Road, but a Cabaye penalty in the 71st minute secured all the points for the visitors, who entered the match off the back of successive defeats in England's top flight. The result has moved Palace into sixth position in the table on 12 points, while Watford have dropped to 13th.
Palace launched their first attack immediately from kickoff, but after making ground in the Watford half, Yannick Bolasie's final effort did not test the hosts.
Watford's first attempt came from Etienne Capoue, who struck one from distance, but his fourth-minute effort was always moving wide of the post.
Brede Hangeland had the first real chance in the 13th minute after meeting a free kick from Cabaye, but Heurelho Gomes was on hand to make a point-blank save and keep the two teams on terms.
Troy Deeney, who is still waiting for his first league goal of the season, came close with a header for Watford in the 30th minute, but the home side's captain could not get proper contact on a deep cross from Jurado.
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Watford came close to breaking the deadlock less than two minutes into the second half when Jurado curled a free kick towards the top corner, but his effort smashed against the crossbar before being cleared by the visitors. The hosts continued to threaten and had another opportunity in the 54th minute when Odion Ighalo set up Almen Abdi outside the box, but his low effort was saved by Wayne Hennessey.
Palace's first real chance of the second period came just before the hour when Bakary Sako angled a free kick towards the bottom corner, but his strike just deflected wide of Gomes's post. Moments later, Dwight Gayle hit the crossbar after a super low cross from Sako.
The visitors had a penalty in the 70th minute when Allan Nyom brought Wilfried Zaha to the ground, leaving Cabaye with the chance to send Palace ahead. The Frenchman's spot kick indeed found the back of the net, with Gomes unable to reach the midfielder's rising strike.
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Gayle had the chance to make it 2-0 in the 79th minute after excellent work from Zaha, but the striker could not convert from close range, before the same player fired wide of the post following a quick counter.
Watford, spurred on by a vocal home support, pushed for a leveller in the latter stages and were given five additional minutes by the referee, but Palace, who also threatened to add to the scoring, held on for all three points.
Matt Law
