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Watford beat Charlton to ease pressure on Dionisi
Watford goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia, in green top, clenches both fists and shouts to celebrate Watford's goal against Charlton Athletic.
Image caption, Federico Ravaglia produced a brilliant close-range save to ensure Watford ended a run of four straight defeats
Stuart Brennan

BBC Sport England

Watford ended their run of four straight Championship defeats as goals from Luca Kjerrumgaard and Jordan Zemura gave them victory over Charlton Athletic.

Danish striker Kjerrumgaard broke the deadlock in the second half and Zemura dinked in a late second to bring a bright end to a tough few days for the Hornets, who had conceded a total of nine goals in defeats by Burnley and Cardiff City.

The losing run, part of a sequence of six defeats in seven games, had increased pressure on head coach Alessio Dionisi, but his side improved greatly and were well worth their win.

Defeat means the Addicks, who were denied an equaliser by a superb Federico Ravaglia save when the score was 1-0, have now gone eight league games without a win, although they have drawn five of those.

Both sides had gone seven games without a victory, with the Addicks' winless run stretching back to August, so it was no surprise that finishing was short on quality at both ends.

Watford's approach play was bright and constructive but defender Krepin Diatta, on his first start, produced the best moment of the first half as he forced a flying save from Arthur Okonkwo in the Charlton goal.

Myron Boadu, Iker Bravo and Kjerrumgaard all missed great chances for the hosts, while, at the other end, Miles Leaburn headed well wide from another big opportunity to ensure the first half ended goalless.

Watford's Edo Kayembe took the game by the scruff of the neck in the second half and it was his driving run from halfway which led to the opening goal.

His deflected shot from the edge of the penalty area was parried by Okonkwo, with Kjerrumgaard ideally placed to control his volleyed finish.

Kayembe forced another fine save from Okonkwo and then blazed a further golden chance high and wide, before Ravaglia somehow thwarted Charlie Kelman's shot from a couple of yards out at the other end.

Watford secured the points - and potentially Dionisi's job, for now at least - deep in added time as Rocco Vata picked a perfect pass for Zemura, who expertly lifted his shot over the goalkeeper.

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