The last week for Watford has been dominated by penalty decisions and that continued to be the case during the first half against Bournemouth this afternoon.

The defeat at Charlton Athletic and the victory at Blackpool were decided by penalties; those scored, missed and not awarded.

Watford Observer:

And the Golden Boys can consider themselves fortunate to go into half-time with Bournemouth goalless today after Ian Harte put a spot kick wide in the fourth minute.

The penalty was given away by Gabriel Tamas, who was very poor before he was stretchered off injured half an hour into the contest.

Matej Vydra forced Artur Boruc into action when he directed the ball goalwards with his knee from close range but it was the only clear-cut chance the Hornets created in a poor first half.

Both teams pride themselves on possession-based football but they continuously gave the ball away needlessly in the first half at Vicarage Road.

The visitors, again, almost grabbed the opener just before the break when a swift attack saw Simon Francis stand-up a cross at the far post and Heurelho Gomes excellently to save a powerful header by the lively Callum Wilson.

Watford: Gomes; Paredes, Ekstrand, Tamas (Cathcart 32), Pudil; Abdi, Tozser, Murray; Anya, Vydra, Dyer.

Substitutes: Bond, Munari, McGugan, Forestieri, Fabbrini, Ighalo.

Bournemouth: Boruc; Francis, Cook, Elphick, Harte; Ritchie, Arter, O'Kane, Surman, Stanislas; Wilson.

Substitutes: Camp, Smith, Daniels, Fraser, Pugh, Pitman, Kermorgant.

Referee: Oliver Langford.