Watford opened their Championship campaign with a memorable 2-1 home win against Southampton, a club still dealing with the shadow of the Spygate scandal.
Southampton supporters and players alike face a challenging season as the “Spygate” affair continues to make them a target for hostility across the division.
Tonda Eckert, the Southampton head coach, remains under investigation for his role in the controversy and cut a subdued figure throughout the contest at Vicarage Road.
He acknowledged his squad were united despite the ongoing pressure, saying “it would be easier to say that after a victory” when reflecting on the defeat.
Before kick-off, Watford paid tribute to Kenny Jackett, the one-club legend honoured with two minutes of applause and a Panini-inspired tifo cascading down the stands.
The occasion contrasted sharply with the instability surrounding the club, as Alessio Dionisi has become Watford’s 12th full-time manager in just the past five years.
Dionisi, who was coaching Empoli in Serie B last season, was forthcoming about the physical toll of the match, saying “I am very tired and my team was too by the end.”
The Italian was quick to credit his players for their collective effort, stating “I liked the mentality of my players, in every moment I saw one team working together.”
Spain under-21 attacker Iker Bravo, one of several arrivals from the Pozzo family’s sister club Udinese this summer, broke the deadlock with a stunning solo goal in the 12th minute.
Bravo collected a long ball 40 yards from goal, won an initial header, then used an outstretched toe to bring the ball under control before driving into the box.
He then cut right and fired a low shot that goalkeeper Daniel Peretz got a hand to but could not keep out, sparking an electric atmosphere inside Vicarage Road.
Watford doubled their lead in the 29th minute through 19-year-old academy graduate Amin Nabizada, who ran from his own half before finishing precisely from a tight angle.
Dionisi said of the teenager, “Nabizada was emotional but after the first 10 minutes he played well,” adding that collective mentality helped bring the best out of him.
Southampton improved significantly after the break, with Canada World Cup star Cyle Larin reducing the deficit by poking home from 10 yards out following a move involving Kuryu Matsuki and Cam Bragg.
Larin had a chance to level just two minutes later, but Federico Ravaglia produced a fine save to turn the shot around the post and preserve Watford’s lead.
Substitute Finn Azaz also came close for the visitors, firing a low drive that drifted just beyond the left-hand post as Southampton pushed for an equaliser.
Ryan Manning delivered a series of dangerous set pieces late on while Southampton fans defiantly sang “we’ll score when we want,” yet the hosts held firm.
The closest Southampton came in the final stages was a scuffed effort from Taylor Harwood-Bellis that went wide in added time, summing up their frustration.
Eckert said he was broadly satisfied with his side’s display aside from “two errors in possession,” insisting his squad are “very close and united” as a group.
He added a pointed note of intent for the weeks ahead, saying “we had a different expectation for the result but the group looks united and we now need to turn that into results.”