Watford showed their cojones last night.
For once, Monday Night Football wasn’t a let down. A rejuvenated Watford side saw off Chelsea with ease on Monday evening, beating them 4-1, helped by the dismissal of Tiémoué Bakayoko, although some would argue he was so poor that his presence was a hindrance for Chelsea.
Watford captain Troy Deeney opened the scoring for the hosts, burying a penalty in no nonsense fashion after the referee judged that Thibaut Courtois had tripped Gerard Deulofeu in the box.
Deeney’s celebration caught the eye, as he wheeled away, raising his middle finger in the direction of the away fans. It wasn’t immediately clear why he had decided to make the gesture, nor was it particularly shocking; Deeney is not one to shy away from expressing how he feels.
Sky Sports News reporter Michelle Owen tweeted that Deeney explained the celebration to her and that he claimed it was a reaction to rumours suggesting he was likely to leave Watford in January.
Asked Troy Deeney about his celebration he said it was a reaction to speculation in the last couple of weeks and his way of saying he is still here… #watford @premierleague #WATCHE
— Michelle Owen (@MichelleOwen7) February 5, 2018
Deeney was linked with a move to West Brom during the January transfer window, but he stayed at Watford as the Baggies signed Daniel Sturridge on loan from Liverpool.
Watford’s talisman didn’t appreciate the rumours and decided to let everyone know. Exactly why he directed the gesture at the visiting fans isn’t clear. I suppose he couldn’t flip off his own fans, could he?
The striker could face a four game ban for the celebration. While the Hornets are unlikely to go down and seem to have picked up again under new boss Javi Gracia, Deeney may come to regret the spur of the moment gesture.
