Tom Cleverley told “role model” Vakoun Bayo to enjoy his rich vein of goalscoring form after firing Watford to a 1-0 home win over Oxford.
Striker Bayo, scorer of four second-half goals in last weekend’s 6-2 win at Sheffield Wednesday, struck on the rebound in the 54th minute.
That secured a sixth win in seven Championship home games for the Hornets, who moved from seventh place to fourth in the Champonshop, leap-frogging Burnley, West Brom and Millwall.
Bayo had scored just once this season before his four-goal burst at Hillsborough but was a constant menace to an Oxford side that remains without a second-tier away win since 1999.
And Watford manager Cleverley said of the 27-year-old Ivorian: “I’m really delighted for Bayo. He works hard every day, is a real role model and deserves his goals.
“A striker will always be judged on the goals he scores and rightly so but the reason he still played in the two months when he didn’t score is because of the job he does for the team.
“His out-of-possession responsibility, his hold-up play, how good he is back to goal and his great character is why he stays in the team even through dry period. He thoroughly deserves the five goals he scored this week.
“I want him to enjoy his goals. It had been a tough period because of the lack of them.”
Watford had to hang on at the end but had been the better side overall, particularly after the break.
Cleverley added: “I thought for 35 minutes of the second half we were outstanding – a performance that deserved a bigger lead.
“I felt we had chance after chance and our supporters dragged us through the difficult moments at the end.”
Oxford had chances to level, including one in stoppage time when substitute Mark Harris send an overhead-kick over the bar from two yards out after Watford had failed to deal with a free-kick.
Manager Des Buckingham said: “I’m not quite sure how he has done that – it looked harder to miss than score. At this level you have to take those or it costs you.”
Buckingham, who led his hometown club to promotion through the League One play-offs last season, had no complaints about his side’s overall performance however.
He said: “I’ve got two emotions. One, proud at how we applied ourselves against a good Watford team away from home but also frustrated that we haven’t capitalised and come away from here with something because we created enough opportunities to do that.
“We had some big chances and a penalty that wasn’t given that we might have had on an other day.
“We speak about being a together group, we did well, but Watford took their chance. (Goalkeeper) Jamie Cumming is getting better week by week and so is the team in front of him.
“Since I’ve come in, we’ve been in every game but we need to take our chances. If we keep playing that way, we’ll be fine.”
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
