Amin Nabizada’s solo run secures 2-1 Watford win over Southampton
Amin Nabizada’s 29th-minute solo goal and an earlier strike from Iker Bravo helped Watford to a 2-1 Championship victory over Southampton at Vicarage Road on 16 August 2026; Cyle Larin reduced the deficit with a 56th-minute finish.
Southampton arrived amid the ongoing Spygate controversy, with cameras repeatedly focused on manager Tonda Eckert as Watford paid tribute to local one-club legend Kenny Jackett with two minutes of applause before kickoff. Remaining under investigation by the FA for his part in the Spygate affair, Eckert drew a mixed reaction from fans; Southampton supporters praised him and cursed the EFL while Watford followers jeered the visitors as cheats once play began. Southampton selected a remodelled attacking line-up that featured Lewis Dobbin, signed from Aston Villa after successful Championship loans, on the left and Kuryu Matsuki preferred to Tom Fellows on the right. Alessio Dionisi made his Vicarage Road debut as Watford head coach and was joined by several new signings from their “sister” club Udinese, including Spain under-21 midfielder Iker Bravo.
Bravo opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a composed solo effort that began from a long ball on the corner of the Watford box; he won the first header, regained control with an outstretched toe, spun and drove into the penalty area before chopping right and firing a low shot that Daniel Peretz got a hand to but could not keep out. The goal lifted the energy in the stands and set Watford on top for the remainder of the first half.
Watford doubled their lead in the 29th minute through 19-year-old academy graduate Amin Nabizada, who exploited space on the left of the Southampton defence, carried the ball from his own half and finished from a tight angle. That strike proved decisive as Southampton were unable to find an immediate response before half-time.
The opening 10 minutes of the second period were subdued, but Southampton worked their way back into the contest in the 56th minute when Kuryu Matsuki pulled wide and Cameron Bragg moved unmarked into the right side of the box; Bragg shifted the ball left to Cyle Larin, who poked home from about 10 yards. Two minutes later Larin had another chance after a Watford clearance failed to clear the area, but goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia — another new signing — turned the shot around a post.
Substitutions followed as Finn Azaz replaced Dobbin and produced a low drive that went just beyond the left-hand post, while Ryan Manning delivered a succession of dangerous set pieces for Southampton. Fans in the away end sang “we’ll score when we want” as the visitors pressed, but a late opportunity was scuffed wide by Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Eckert’s side could not muster enough momentum to force an equaliser.
Opening matches rarely offer clear long-term signals, but Watford’s supporters enjoyed temperate weather and what the home side regarded as a decent performance at Vicarage Road. If Southampton are to turn the negative energy of Spygate into something positive they will have to start again next week.
