Watford 1-0 Sunderland AFC
Sunderland’s final away outing of the 2023-24 season ended in defeat, as Watford claimed three points at Vicarage Road.
Chris Rigg made his 20th league appearance of the season and the best opportunity of the first half fell to the midfielder, who failed to find the target.
The Hornets went close through Edo Kayembe following the restart, with Anthony Patterson blocking the midfielder’s thunderous 10-yard effort.
Ryan Andrews opened the scoring with 63 minutes on the clock and it proved decisive, as Tom Cleverley’s side ensured the points remained in Hertfordshire.
Sunderland made two changes for the match-up, with Trai Hume and Adil Aouchiche replacing Timothee Pembele and Bradley Dack.
Rigg became only the fifth player in Championship history to make 20 appearances whilst aged 16 or under, with 17-year-old Tommy Watson also named amongst the substitutes.
As Charlie Hurley’s named echoed within Vicarage Road throughout the early stages, and beyond, both sides saw a share of the possession.
Vakoun Bayo mustered the first attempt on goal, which was comfortably dealt with by Patterson, and Dan Ballard went close on 20 minutes, seeing his header cleared off the line by Ryan Porteous.
The best opportunities of the opening period fell to Rigg and Trai Hume just before the interval, but the midfielder was unable to find the target before the defender was denied.
Despite Jack Clarke having two sights at goal following the restart, the deadlock remained intact at Vicarage Road.
Patterson denied Kayembe in the stages that followed, with Clarke forcing another save from Daniel Bachmann before the hour mark.
The Hornets edged into the lead with 27 minutes remaining through Andrews, who squeezed a low effort past the Sunderland ‘keeper.
Patrick Roberts should have levelled when Luis Hemir’s pull-back presented a late opportunity, but Watford closed out the game to condemn the Black Cats to defeat.
Watford: Bachmann, Porteous, Pollock, Hoedt, Sema (Lewis 69), Kone, Kayembe, Asprilla (Livermore 89), Dennis (Andrews 45), Bayo, Grieves (Martins 45).
Subs not used: Hamer, Sierralta, Ince, Morris, Rajovic.
Sunderland AFC: Patterson, Hume, O’Nien, Ballard, Alese (Hemir 78), Ekwah (Evans 78), Styles, Rigg (Ba 65), Aouchiche (Roberts 65), Clarke, Jobe.
Subs not used: Bishop, Pembele, Hjelde, Mundle, Watson.