Match ends, Bolton Wanderers 2, Watford 0.
BoltonBolton Wanderers2WatfordWatford0
Goals from Lukas Jutkiewicz and Joe Mason gave Bolton a first win in nine league games as the Trotters stayed six points clear of the relegation zone.
Dougie Freedman's side had not won a Championship game since Boxing Day but went ahead when Jutkiewicz tapped home following a Jay Spearing free-kick.
Mason had missed three chances to score before he did double the lead after Neil Danns's flick-on.
Watford went closest through Troy Deeney's header, but Wanderers held on.
It was only a third home win all season in the Championship for Freedman, who said last week he did not fear for his job at the Reebok Stadium.
His side had managed just 18 league goals in front of their own fans all season before this game, but loanees Jutkiewicz and Mason proved a dangerous partnership against the Hornets.
Mason, who rejoined the club from Cardiff on Thursday, saw an early shot saved by Manuel Almunia's feet before Deeney's header was well saved by Adam Bogdan at the other end.
Mason was again denied by Almunia before Jutkiewicz opened the scoring at the far post from Spearing's curling set-piece.
Bolton doubled the lead before the break when Danns won a header to send Mason clear again, and this time he beat Almunia convincingly.
Sean Murray hit a half-volley straight at Bogdan after the break but Watford were unconvincing.
Bolton manager Dougie Freedman:
"I thought we played very well and entertained the crowd and I felt the margin of the victory was the least we deserved.
"I was very satisfied. We worked very hard as a team to keep that clean sheet. I felt that was the difference.
"When Watford asked us a few questions we dealt with that well.
"That's very pleasing as a coach and that's what you work for throughout the week."
Watford boss Beppe Sannino:
"What I want to do now is to say sorry to all the people from Watford who travelled here to watch the game.
"I know that it is not possible but if I could, I would replay the game now.
"We need to forget this game but at the same time we don't need to forget those mistakes as well."
Line-ups
Bolton
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Bogdan
- 15Baptiste
- 5Ream
- 6Spearing
- 4Mills
- 31Wheater
- 16DaviesSubstituted forLeeat 79'minutes
- 44KamaraBooked at 26mins
- 29Jutkiewicz
- 21PratleySubstituted forDannsat 24'minutes
- 26MasonSubstituted forTrotterat 86'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Eagles
- 11Hall
- 12Knight
- 17Trotter
- 18Danns
- 24Lonergan
- 27Lee
Watford
Formation 5-3-2
- 1Almunia
- 19FaraoniBooked at 90mins
- 21Anya
- 6EkstrandBooked at 56mins
- 27CassettiSubstituted forPudilat 48'minutes
- 4AngellaBooked at 90mins
- 8MerkelSubstituted forBattocchioat 61'minutes
- 16Murray
- 9Deeney
- 20ParkSubstituted forRanegieat 61'minutes
- 28Tözsér
Substitutes
- 5Belkalem
- 7Battocchio
- 12Doyley
- 13Ranegie
- 18Pudil
- 30Bond
- 31Hoban
- Referee:
- Fred Graham
- Attendance:
- 15,179
Match Stats
Home TeamBoltonAway TeamWatford
- Possession
- Home49%
- Away51%
- Shots
- Home16
- Away12
- Shots on Target
- Home9
- Away5
- Corners
- Home5
- Away6
- Fouls
- Home9
- Away15
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Bolton Wanderers 2, Watford 0.
Booking
Marco Davide Faraoni (Watford) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Tim Ream (Bolton Wanderers) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Marco Davide Faraoni (Watford).
Post update
Attempt blocked. Neil Danns (Bolton Wanderers) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Booking
Gabriele Angella (Watford) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Liam Trotter (Bolton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Gabriele Angella (Watford).
Post update
Lukas Jutkiewicz (Bolton Wanderers) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Daniel Pudil (Watford).
Post update
Foul by Lee Chung-Yong (Bolton Wanderers).
Post update
Sean Murray (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Lukas Jutkiewicz (Bolton Wanderers) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Gabriele Angella (Watford).
Post update
Attempt blocked. Troy Deeney (Watford) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Cristian Battocchio.
Substitution
Substitution, Bolton Wanderers. Liam Trotter replaces Joe Mason.
Post update
Foul by Neil Danns (Bolton Wanderers).
Post update
Daniel Pudil (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Bolton Wanderers. Lee Chung-Yong replaces Mark Davies.
