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Watford opened the 2026-27 Championship campaign with victory over Tonda Eckert's Southampton. Iker Bravo and Amin Nabizada both struck in the first half and, despite Cyle Larin's second-half strike, the Hornets held on to seal the three points. The Saints had chances to level but in the end couldn't find the second. With the Eckert ban still under review after the appeal, it's unclear what the future holds for Southampton, who currently sit bottom due to the four-point deduction. Story of the match Team News Watford (4-2-3-1): Ravaglia; Traore, Pollock, Keben, Bola; Bove, Kyprianou; Maamma, Bravo, Nabizada; Doumbia Subs: Bachmann, Kjerrumgaard, Vata, Payero, Zemura, Kayembe, Adu-Poku, Clarridge, Eames Southampton (4-2-3-1) Peretz; Bree, Harwood-Bellis, Stephens, Manning; Bragg, Downes; Matsuki, Dobbin, Scienza; Larin Subs: Long, Wood, Wellington, Edozie, Fellows, Azaz, Brereton Diaz, Archer, Mubama The match got underway after a minute's silence for Kenny Jackett, who made 428 appearances for the Hornets. The former Watford player and manager sadly passed away in June. Southampton started the game brightly, with Leo Scienza and Lewis Dobbin looking sharp on the break. Scienza suffered an early scare after being wiped out by Hector Kyprianou, the Brazilian having to get treatment for his shoulder following an awkward landing. The Hornets took the lead after seven minutes. Mamadou Doumbia’s header was intercepted by Jack Stephens, but the Saints skipper's back pass was short and intercepted by Bravo, the midfielder easing away from Taylor Harwood-Bellis before slotting past Daniel Peretz. Referee Matt Donohue wasn’t afraid to show a card: after just twenty minutes he’d produced four yellow cards, two for each side. Alessio Dionisi was forced into an early change, with Jordan Zemura replacing the injured Marc Bola after just 24 minutes. Watford extended their lead in the 29th minute with a wonderful solo goal from 19-year-old Nabizada. The winger picked up possession in his own half and drove forward before firing into the bottom left corner from a tight angle. In first-half stoppage time, Mattie Pollock had a huge chance, his header from close range sailing over Peretz' crossbar. Larin gives the Saints hope Watford started the second half in similar fashion to how they started the first. Nabizada found Omar Traore down the right, the full-back drove into the area and saw his low effort denied by the outstretched leg of Peretz. The Saints pulled one back in the 56th minute. Cameron Bragg managed to dance past the Watford defence, slipping the ball through to Larin, who poked past Federico Ravaglia from close range. The Canadian could have had a second just a minute later, Larin's volley into the ground parried wide by Ravaglia. Watford went up the other end from the Saints corner and were denied by a last-ditch tackle from Manning. Othmane Maamma played an outside-of-the-boot pass in behind, Bravo picked up possession and looked to be in on goal, but Manning slid in to deny the Spaniard a second. Southampton grew into the game after the goal and were able to create more chances: Harwood-Bellis couldn't direct his header and substitute Finn Azaz' strike drove narrowly past the post. Harwood-Bellis spurned a huge chance in the third minute of injury time; after taking a touch the defender scuffed wide from close range, giving Watford a huge let off. Peretz went up for two late corners and Ravaglia had to be alert to get to the ball ahead of his opposite number in the closing stages, as Watford hung on to see off the Saints. Hornets first home game form continues Heading into the game, Watford had a good recent record in opening day fixtures, especially at Vicarage Road. The Hornets have won every first game at home since the 2020-21 campaign, and the only opening day defeat during that time was a 1-0 loss to Charlton at the Valley last season. Despite good starts to the season, Watford have failed to finish in the top 10 of the second tier since their relegation from the Premier League in 2022. Could victory against one of the Championship favourites be the start of a change in direction for Watford? Player of the match - Amin Nabizada The tricky winger looked magnificent on his first Championship start, effortlessly easing past defenders and driving forward. He looked to have taken a touch too many for his goal but did excellently to recover and beat Peretz from a tight angle. The Afghanistan winger faded out in the second half but was hugely impressive in the opening stages and in getting Watford up the pitch.