Watford 1-0 Swansea: Ten-man Hornets hold on for first Premier League win

Odion Ighalo's second-half goal secured Watford their first Premier League win of the season, beating Swansea 1-0.

The Nigeria striker, who signed a new five-year deal last week, volleyed home Troy Deeney's header across the box from a long goal-kick forward on 59 minutes - his second of the campaign.

But the hosts were made to sweat for 25 minutes after Valon Behrami was shown a straight red card for violent conduct - a stamp on Andre Ayew's left knee midway through a challenge.

Bafetimbi Gomis, searching for his fifth goal in five Premier League games, had Swansea's best chance when he forced Heurelho Gomes into a diving save to his left in the first-half.

Watford had not scored since Ighalo's last goal - an 83rd-minute strike in the opening day draw against Everton.

But he was lively from the off alongside Troy Deeney, and the pair made life difficult for a Swansea side who came into the game unbeaten this season.

Hornets centre-back Sebastian Prodl had their first chance, however, firing over the bar from a cleared corner on 10 minutes before Deeney had a shot blocked on the edge of the box.

Almen Abdi went close to an opener on 18 minutes when he exchanged passes with Ighalo and saw a deflected shot bounce just past the far post.

Swansea hit back and Gomis had two chances to give them the breakthrough; his first effort a swift turn and shot that forced Gomes down low before the keeper beat away a close-range effort as the striker lost his footing.

But the score remained goalless at half-time despite Ighalo firing a wicked shot at Lukasz Fabianski from an acute angle from the left.

The visitors started the second half brightly but Watford were rewarded for a strong response when Deeney nodded Gomes' long punt forward to an unmarked Ighalo, who slotted home on the hour.

Behrami deserved to be dismissed just five minutes later - the midfielder completely missing the ball as Ayew took it away from him before stamping down on the Swansea winger's knee. 

But Swansea failed to threaten adequately for the remainder of the game, despite manager Garry Monk bringing on Jefferson Montero and Eder.

Montero was lively but wasteful in-front of goal, seeing two speculative efforts fly over the bar as well as a third from Federico Fernandez.

And Fernandez headed far wide from inside the box as the Swans pushed hard for a leveller in vein at the death.

Soccer Saturday Verdict - Charlie Nicholas

It was formation that changed Watford's fortunes. It took them ten minutes to settle, Troy Deeney was closer to Odion Ighalo and it made the others get up wide. They are physically strong, quick at the full-back positions.

There are times when they didn't get enough bodies into the box but their goal was a long kick out, Deeney knocks it down and three Swansea players don't challenge him. Ighalo finds space right in the penalty box and Deeney just drops it in and Ighalo slides it by the goalkeeper. It was a really cheap goal for Swansea.

Garry Monk will be having a go at Swansea tonight. No fluency, disappointing. Jonjo Shelvey didn't get high up the pitch. I don't get what's going on with Gylfi Sigurdsson, who should be feeding off Andre Ayew, and Bafetimbi Gomis. He never got a kick today. Didn't look that interested. Ever so disappointing for Swansea.

Player ratings

Watford: Gomes 7; Nyom 6, Prödl 7, Cathcart 7, Anya 6; Behrami 5, Capoue 7; Jurado 7, Ighalo 7, Abdi 7; Deeney 8

Subs used: Watson 6, Berghuis 6, Diamanti 6

Swansea: Fabianski 7; Naughton 6, Fernandez 6, Williams 6, Taylor 6, Cork 6, Shelvey 7, Sigurdsson 5, Routledge 5, Ayew 6, Gomis 6

Subs used:  Ki 7, Montero 5, Eder 6

Man of the match: Deeney