Southampton's Championship campaign got off to a rocky start as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Watford at Vicarage Road. The Saints were baited about their Spygate scandal, which saw them deducted four points and thrown out of the play-offs in May. The match was a stark reminder of the unforgiving nature of the Championship, with Watford's energy and tenacity proving too much for Southampton's players.
The Watford goals were a result of Southampton's errant passes. Jack Stephens' aimless kick was seized upon by summer signing Iker Bravo, who drove forward and stabbed the ball home. Amin Nabizada, a teenage academy product, also seized on a wayward Southampton pass to speed away down the right and score a low shot into the far bottom corner.
Southampton reduced their arrears in the second half, with Cameron Bragg stabbing the ball through to Cyle Larin, who slid the ball past Federico Ravaglia in the 56th minute. However, Watford's new keeper was forced into a reaction save low down from Larin's sweeping volley, and the hosts almost extended their lead when Manning charged down Bravo's shot with a brilliant sliding challenge.
The defeat leaves Southampton seven points off top spot and sitting at the foot of the table. Ex-Southampton striker Kevin Phillips told Sky Sports that the pressure is on Eckert, who he believes didn't pick the right team to start with. The next game for the Saints is crucial, and they have to win it - it's as simple as that.
Watford's win lifted the uncertainty that had enveloped Vicarage Road in the build-up to the new Championship season. The goals both came from errant Southampton passes, and the Watford manager, Alessio Dionisi, had a fine win with summer signing Iker Bravo and teenage academy product Amin Nabizada.
The match also saw the sale of Australia winger Nestory Irankunda to Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon 24 hours earlier, while last season's captain Imran Louza was left out of the squad by Dionisi after the midfielder again asked to leave the club. The pressure is on Southampton, and they will need to show a run of good form to get back on track.
