Close menu
Premier League
EvertonEverton2WatfordWatford5

Everton 2-5 Watford: Joshua King hat-trick for Claudio Ranieri's side

By Tim OscroftBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Premier Leaguecomments755

Joshua King
King played for Everton last season, making 11 appearances but failing to score

Joshua King's hat-trick helped Watford to a stunning first win under Claudio Ranieri as Everton collapsed in a pulsating Premier League game at Goodison Park.

Tom Davies put the hosts ahead early on but Watford equalised before the break through King from close range.

Former Hornets striker Richarlison put Everton ahead again but Juraj Kucka's header drew Watford level.

King, who didn't score for Everton during his spell there in the first half of 2021, then struck twice inside six minutes before Emmanuel Dennis put the seal on an incredible comeback.

While Watford had never won at Goodison in any competition before this match, Ranieri has happier memories of trips to Everton - this was his fifth consecutive win at the ground.

It is a second successive home defeat for Everton's former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez and some boos greeted the Spaniard's decision to replace Anthony Gordon with Richarlison in the second half.

He seemed vindicated when the Brazilian struck with a fine diving header just three minutes after coming on, but Benitez then saw his side's lead evaporate in a disastrous final 10 minutes that leaves his side in eighth place.

Watford, having started life under Ranieri with an emphatic defeat against Liverpool, climb the table to 14th - suddenly well clear of the relegation zone.

Everton 2-5 Watford: Hornets boss Claudio Ranieri praises 'amazing' Joshua King

Hornets sting tentative Toffees

When Davies slid in to convert Demarai Gray's low cross from close range after three minutes it looked like being another difficult day against Merseyside opposition for Ranieri following their 5-0 thrashing at Vicarage Road a week earlier.

But while Everton failed to build on that start and were tentative, Watford took the attack to the home side in defiance of having the lowest number of shots in the Premier League - 76 - prior to this match.

King's equaliser was initially ruled out for offside by referee Graham Scott but after looking at the pitchside monitor he overturned his decision because Gray had just played King onside.

Watford rallied after Richarlison's goal - with Ranieri immediately throwing on Dennis and Joao Pedro - and Kucka got the visitors back on level terms with a powerful header from Cucho Hernandez's corner.

Ranieri's substitutions then sparked the late drama, with Dennis' cross finding King with the time and space to steady himself for his second before the pair linked up again when the Norway striker kept his head again inside the box to claim his hat-trick.

Everton 2-5 Watford: Toffees' collapse 'difficult to explain' - Rafael Benitez

Dennis has enjoyed a good start to his Premier League career, despite Watford's struggles, and the Nigerian claimed his third goal of the season after an assist from Pedro as large sections of the home support headed for the exits.

Player of the match

KingJoshua King

with an average of 8.26

Everton

  1. Squad number11Player nameGray
    Average rating

    5.72

  2. Squad number7Player nameRicharlison
    Average rating

    5.45

  3. Squad number14Player nameTownsend
    Average rating

    5.29

  4. Squad number26Player nameDavies
    Average rating

    5.21

  5. Squad number24Player nameGordon
    Average rating

    5.09

  6. Squad number23Player nameColeman
    Average rating

    4.88

  7. Squad number6Player nameAllan
    Average rating

    4.85

  8. Squad number22Player nameGodfrey
    Average rating

    4.76

  9. Squad number5Player nameKeane
    Average rating

    4.65

  10. Squad number12Player nameDigne
    Average rating

    4.58

  11. Squad number1Player namePickford
    Average rating

    4.44

  12. Squad number33Player nameRondón
    Average rating

    3.73

  13. Squad number17Player nameIwobi
    Average rating

    3.31

Watford

  1. Squad number7Player nameKing
    Average rating

    8.26

  2. Squad number1Player nameFoster
    Average rating

    7.86

  3. Squad number25Player nameDennis
    Average rating

    7.61

  4. Squad number23Player nameSarr
    Average rating

    7.50

  5. Squad number13Player nameNkoulou
    Average rating

    7.49

  6. Squad number19Player nameSissoko
    Average rating

    7.46

  7. Squad number10Player nameJoão Pedro
    Average rating

    7.40

  8. Squad number29Player nameCucho Hernández
    Average rating

    7.28

  9. Squad number33Player nameKucka
    Average rating

    7.12

  10. Squad number18Player nameTufan
    Average rating

    6.99

  11. Squad number15Player nameCathcart
    Average rating

    6.86

  12. Squad number11Player nameMasina
    Average rating

    6.86

  13. Squad number2Player nameNgakia
    Average rating

    6.83

  14. Squad number5Player nameTroost-Ekong
    Average rating

    6.79

Line-ups

Everton

Formation 4-4-1-1

  • 1Pickford
  • 23Coleman
  • 5Keane
  • 22Godfrey
  • 12DigneBooked at 17mins
  • 14Townsend
  • 26Davies
  • 6AllanBooked at 54mins
  • 24GordonSubstituted forRicharlisonat 60'minutesBooked at 72mins
  • 11GraySubstituted forIwobiat 77'minutes
  • 33RondónBooked at 90mins

Substitutes

  • 2Kenny
  • 4Holgate
  • 7Richarlison
  • 15Begovic
  • 17Iwobi
  • 25Gbamin
  • 31Lonergan
  • 61Dobbin

Watford

Formation 4-1-4-1

  • 1Foster
  • 2NgakiaSubstituted forNkoulouat 76'minutes
  • 5Troost-EkongBooked at 44mins
  • 15Cathcart
  • 11Masina
  • 19Sissoko
  • 23SarrSubstituted forDennisat 64'minutesBooked at 70mins
  • 18TufanSubstituted forJoão Pedroat 64'minutes
  • 33Kucka
  • 29Hernández
  • 7KingBooked at 81mins

Substitutes

  • 6Louza
  • 8Cleverley
  • 10João Pedro
  • 12Sema
  • 13Nkoulou
  • 16Gosling
  • 17Fletcher
  • 25Dennis
  • 26Bachmann
Referee:
Graham Scott
Attendance:
38,834

Match Stats

Home TeamEvertonAway TeamWatford
Possession
Home50%
Away50%
Shots
Home15
Away20
Shots on Target
Home4
Away8
Corners
Home3
Away5
Fouls
Home9
Away13

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Everton 2, Watford 5.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Everton 2, Watford 5.

  3. Post update

    Foul by Emmanuel Dennis (Watford).

  4. Post update

    Ben Godfrey (Everton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  5. Booking

    Salomón Rondón (Everton) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  6. Post update

    Juraj Kucka (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  7. Post update

    Foul by Salomón Rondón (Everton).

  8. Goal!

    Goal! Everton 2, Watford 5. Emmanuel Dennis (Watford) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by João Pedro.

  9. Post update

    Ben Foster (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  10. Post update

    Foul by Tom Davies (Everton).

  11. Post update

    Corner, Everton. Conceded by Adam Masina.

  12. Post update

    Foul by Juraj Kucka (Watford).

  13. Post update

    Tom Davies (Everton) wins a free kick on the left wing.

  14. Goal!

    Goal! Everton 2, Watford 4. Joshua King (Watford) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Emmanuel Dennis.

  15. Post update

    Attempt blocked. João Pedro (Watford) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Emmanuel Dennis.

  16. Post update

    Attempt missed. Cucho Hernández (Watford) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Emmanuel Dennis.

  17. Post update

    Attempt missed. Lucas Digne (Everton) left footed shot from the left side of the box is too high. Assisted by Richarlison with a cross.

  18. Post update

    Attempt missed. Juraj Kucka (Watford) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Cucho Hernández with a cross following a corner.

  19. Post update

    Corner, Watford. Conceded by Jordan Pickford.

  20. Post update

    Attempt saved. Emmanuel Dennis (Watford) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.

Page 1 of 6
Navigate to the last page
Everything you need to know about your Premier League team banner
  • Our coverage of your Premier League club is bigger and better than ever before - here's everything you need to know to make sure you never miss a moment
BBC Sport banner footer

Comments

Join the conversation

These comments are now closed.

755 comments

  • Comment posted by James, at 17:04 23 Oct 2021

    I remember seeing someone slagging off Watford last week after my team dominated them. They said a small city team don't deserve to be in the premier league. Forgetting the fact that this 'small team' was the first to beat Liverpool in the 2019/20 season, was in a FA cup final only a few years prior and again proved how good they can be by thrashing Everton today.

    • Reply posted by Brian, at 17:09 23 Oct 2021

      Brian replied:
      Great points. I hate hearing teams getting slated for where they are from. Even big city teams fall from grace. Watford may have finally got that confidence to go forward. They certainly have a great manager

  • Comment posted by Rob, at 17:10 23 Oct 2021

    Josh King is the world's greatest magician. He made 40000 Everton fans disappear. No smoke or mirrors used either

    • Reply posted by idan, at 17:40 23 Oct 2021

      idan replied:
      And the magic word... dilly ding dilly dong

  • Comment posted by Fan Of Whoever Plays Man Utd, at 17:05 23 Oct 2021

    Watford got walloped by 5 last Saturday by a team from Merseyside, this Saturday they go to Merseyside and wallop 5. Life is stranger than fiction as they say.

    • Reply posted by The Spin Doctor, at 17:10 23 Oct 2021

      The Spin Doctor replied:
      Was this a real match played today or a second rate Hollywood football movie? Sure, felt like the latter based on the final minutes.

  • Comment posted by long haul, at 17:04 23 Oct 2021

    2-1 up with 12 minutes to go and then you concede 4 goals

    Only Everton could do that 😊😊😊

    • Reply posted by hiphopanonymous, at 17:08 23 Oct 2021

      hiphopanonymous replied:
      (spurs)?

  • Comment posted by Bonvivant, at 17:04 23 Oct 2021

    Time for Everton to give Steve Bruce a call.

    • Reply posted by Lets Agree To Disagree, at 18:13 23 Oct 2021

      Lets Agree To Disagree replied:
      And to think people were already preparing for Ranieri's sacking after just one game. 😂

  • Comment posted by Mr truth, at 17:15 23 Oct 2021

    When we thumped Watford 5-0 away from home all the blue bitters were on here saying 'It's only Watford.'

    What do they think now? Karma is great.

    Everton lose the Z-Cars derby. Hammered by....Only Watford.

    • Reply posted by Miler1878, at 17:22 23 Oct 2021

      Miler1878 replied:
      No excuses apart from all the injury of course but you just got to keep going unlike the reds last year crying a river . fair play Watford congrats. I hope united hammer you REDS tomorrow from a bitter BLUE as always. 👄

  • Comment posted by TheQuietManJohnWayne, at 17:02 23 Oct 2021

    All credit to Watford. They kept going. Only Everton could concede four goals so quickly. Shambolic defending.

    • Reply posted by Raedwulf, at 17:07 23 Oct 2021

      Raedwulf replied:
      Indeed, excellent from Watford. First ever win at Goodison too!

  • Comment posted by Tacca, at 17:03 23 Oct 2021

    Good job agent Rafa

    • Reply posted by Scubadoo, at 17:46 23 Oct 2021

      Scubadoo replied:
      He will be announced Toon manager tomorrow.

  • Comment posted by Specialist_in_tailoring, at 17:03 23 Oct 2021

    HIGH 5 TO THE DILLY DING DILLY DONG GENIUS!!!

    • Reply posted by Viva Espana, at 17:11 23 Oct 2021

      Viva Espana replied:
      It's a dilly ding dilly dong wake up call to all those who criticised Watford for bringing in Ranieri.

  • Comment posted by Happy Hornet, at 17:11 23 Oct 2021

    After last weeks thumping by Liverpool i was not expecting that!

    Well done Watford and just maybe .... Claudio is a god!!!

    • Reply posted by Freds, at 17:27 23 Oct 2021

      Freds replied:
      Watford closed the gap and then some.

  • Comment posted by scorpio09, at 17:15 23 Oct 2021

    Everton fans last week after Liverpool won 5-0.... "so what, it's only Watford "
    so what happened then blues ???

    • Reply posted by Red till Dead, at 17:21 23 Oct 2021

      Red till Dead replied:
      👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

  • Comment posted by HH, at 17:09 23 Oct 2021

    Fair play to the watford board for sticking with Ranieri after last Saturday. Perhaps they’ve finally learnt their lesson now?

    • Reply posted by AverageFootballFan, at 17:18 23 Oct 2021

      AverageFootballFan replied:
      Thinking that the sackaholics owning Watford would've learnt their lesson about keeping managers for longer than 5 minutes is a stretch too far, but hopefully Ranieri can stay

  • Comment posted by Goomantoong, at 17:07 23 Oct 2021

    Well done Watford. Southampton fan here, we play you next week at Vicarage Road. Until two hours ago I really fancied our chances. "Now, not so much"

    • Reply posted by Fan Of Whoever Plays Man Utd, at 18:55 23 Oct 2021

      Fan Of Whoever Plays Man Utd replied:
      Should be a good game to watch for anyone who wants to watch a game not featuring one of the 'top 6'. Result could go either way, or just end up with a 4 - 4 draw. ; )

  • Comment posted by Rapha Elle, at 17:37 23 Oct 2021

    Wow, Everton never really gave Josh King a chance to prove himself. Then go and buy Rondon to fill a gap.
    Now look. Embarrassing.

  • Comment posted by manxie1954, at 17:03 23 Oct 2021

    Amazing, Watford must be so pleased with their performance today.

    • Reply posted by Viva Espana, at 17:20 23 Oct 2021

      Viva Espana replied:
      Well, certainly with the last 10 minutes of it :-)

  • Comment posted by Dallas Cowboys Liverpool FC, at 17:06 23 Oct 2021

    Great win Watford, what a way to forget last week’s result.
    Come on Everton, not the type of result you want if you have plans on being a top 6 team.

    • Reply posted by THOMASFOX, at 17:13 23 Oct 2021

      THOMASFOX replied:
      Everton should have lost the game 2 years ago, other than for 5 minutes at the end of each half. So what goes around comes around.

  • Comment posted by paul1965, at 17:36 23 Oct 2021

    To hear the Watford fans sing "Cheerio, cheerio, cheerio" as the hordes of bitters ferreted from the stadium, was pure, comedy gold. Bless you agent Rafa!

    • Reply posted by baz21, at 01:40 24 Oct 2021

      baz21 replied:
      Yet have great hearing, hearing them sing it all the way from Norway.

  • Comment posted by Liverpool Red, at 17:19 23 Oct 2021

    Fantastic result for Watford. After getting smashed by Liverpool last week, to come back and smash the smaller club from Merseyside shows great resilience.

    • Reply posted by margaret, at 19:05 23 Oct 2021

      margaret replied:
      Covid cost Everton and Rafa today, the game should have been postponed. Expect an appeal for the match to be replayed, to the Premier League.

  • Comment posted by Anyone but United, at 17:14 23 Oct 2021

    Well.done agent Rafa ...its going well lol

    • Reply posted by D1710540683954, at 19:30 23 Oct 2021

      D1710540683954 replied:
      So why are you so terrified of Everton? Or is Pep an secret red's agent too?

  • Comment posted by Pluto man, at 17:04 23 Oct 2021

    I don’t understand this scoreline. Maybe I’m check the wrong scoreboard

    • Reply posted by boughandthebrass, at 17:10 23 Oct 2021

      boughandthebrass replied:
      You are check the wrong scoreboard? Maybe you I am check your grammar 😜

As It Stood

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Chelsea97112332022
2Man City96212041620
3Liverpool85302261618
4Brighton943299015
5Tottenham8503912-315
6Man Utd84221610614
7West Ham84221510514
8Everton94231514114
9Arsenal94231013-314
10Wolves941499013
11Brentford8332107312
12Leicester83231314-111
13Aston Villa93151315-210
14Watford93151217-510
15Crystal Palace91621114-39
16Southampton9153812-48
17Leeds9144816-87
18Burnley9045715-84
19Newcastle90451120-94
20Norwich9027223-212
View full Premier League table

Elsewhere on the BBC

Also in Sport