EPL: Brighton, Watford secure needed wins

By Tunde Bright Olorungbotemi, Ogun.

THE English premier League side, Brighton and Watford secured big wins in their battle to avoid relegation today , Saturday, 28th December.

Brighton climbed up to 14th, five points clear of the drop zone, as Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Aaron Mooy’s first goals for the club in a 2-0 win over Bournemouth.

Jahanbakhsh has struggled to make an impact on the south coast since a big money move from AZ Alkmaar at the beginning of last season.

The Iranian was moved to tears when he opened the scoring with his first Premier League goal less than three minutes into his first league start of the season.

“It was a great moment for everyone in the stadium, especially Ali. 

He deserves it,” said Brighton boss Graham Potter.

            “He worked away every day with exemplary behaviour. We all wanted him to contribute and he did that today.”

Mooy then produced a moment of magic to secure the points 11 minutes from time as he controlled the ball on his chest, turned inside his marker and curled the ball into the far corner.

Troy Deeney scores his and Watford’s second from the penalty spot

Watford closed to within three points of safety thanks to a second home win in as many games under Nigel Pearson as the Hornets beat Aston Villa 3-0 despite playing half an hour with 10 men when Adrian Mariappa saw red.

                “We couldn’t afford to lose,” said Pearson. “It’s a case of trying to rectify the first part of our season. Momentum is important.”

Troy Deeney had given Watford the lead eight minutes before half-time and doubled his side’s advantage from the penalty spot soon after Mariappa was shown a second yellow card.