Watford vs Stoke City LIVE: Championship result, final score and reaction
Follow live coverage as Watford face Stoke City in the Championship today.
English football's second tier is one of the most-watched leagues in Europe with a relentless fixture schedule and the prize of a place in the Premier League on offer combining to make it one of the most dramatic and exciting competitions in world football.
Burnley were relegated from the top tier in 2022 but return refreshed and hopeful of making it back and equally Watford no doubt enjoyed their time in the Premier League too and are also keen to return.
Norwich know what it takes to earn promotion from the Championship and will again be one of the favourites to do it again with one of the best squads in the division.
It isn't all about the battle for promotion, either, with Wigan, Rotherham and play-off winners Sunderland hoping their ascensions from League One aren't short-lived as they battle to avoid the drop at the bottom.
We will bring you all the action and updates from today's game in the live blog below:
Watford FC 2 - 0 Stoke City FC
Watford vs Stoke City
16:56
Match ends, Watford 2, Stoke City 0.
Watford vs Stoke City
16:55
Ending the season on a high. 💪#WatfordFC pic.twitter.com/8GxWgU60a9
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) May 8, 2023
Watford vs Stoke City
16:55
Second Half ends, Watford 2, Stoke City 0.
Watford vs Stoke City
16:55
There's the whistle. pic.twitter.com/AZ3nCtS91h
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) May 8, 2023
Watford vs Stoke City
16:55
Dwight Gayle (Stoke City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Watford vs Stoke City
16:54
Phil Jagielka (Stoke City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Watford vs Stoke City
16:54
A final sub.
⏱ 90+3’
🐝 2-0 ⚪️#WatfordFC | @Manscaped pic.twitter.com/qBrUd6TTSm— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) May 8, 2023
Watford vs Stoke City
16:54
Attempt missed. Wesley Hoedt (Watford) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Leandro Bacuna.
Watford vs Stoke City
16:53
Substitution, Watford. Leandro Bacuna replaces Keinan Davis.
Watford vs Stoke City
16:53
Foul by Lewis Baker (Stoke City).
Watford vs Stoke City
16:51
90' Four added minutes.
🐝 2-0 🔴⚪️— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) May 8, 2023
Watford vs Stoke City
16:51
Substitution, Stoke City. Dwight Gayle replaces Nick Powell because of an injury.
Watford vs Stoke City
16:50
89' Double City change. Taylor & Gayle replace Campbell & Powell.
🐝 2-0 🔴⚪️— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) May 8, 2023
Watford vs Stoke City
16:51
Substitution, Stoke City. Connor Taylor replaces Tyrese Campbell.
Watford vs Stoke City
16:53
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Watford vs Stoke City
16:48
Delay in match because of an injury Nick Powell (Stoke City).
Watford vs Stoke City
16:48
Two further substitutions.
⏱ 86’
🐝 2-0 ⚪️#WatfordFC | @Manscaped pic.twitter.com/i7hlXJtp4A— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) May 8, 2023
Watford vs Stoke City
16:47
Substitution, Watford. Jack Grieves replaces Ken Sema.
Watford vs Stoke City
16:46
85' Double Watford change. Blake & Grieves replaces Sarr & Sema.
🐝 2-0 🔴⚪️— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) May 8, 2023
Watford vs Stoke City
16:47
Substitution, Watford. Adrian Blake replaces Ismaïla Sarr.
Watford vs Stoke City
16:45
Attempt missed. Ben Pearson (Stoke City) right footed shot from outside the box following a corner.
Watford vs Stoke City
16:45
A quickfire double. ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/xfX7s3kQWo
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) May 8, 2023
Watford vs Stoke City
16:48
Attempt blocked. Tyrese Campbell (Stoke City) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Ben Pearson.
Watford vs Stoke City
16:44
Corner, Watford. Conceded by Dujon Sterling.
Watford vs Stoke City
16:44
Attempt saved. Nick Powell (Stoke City) left footed shot from more than 35 yards is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Watford vs Stoke City
16:42
Foul by Josh Tymon (Stoke City).
Watford vs Stoke City
16:41
Attempt missed. Lewis Baker (Stoke City) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by William Smallbone with a cross following a corner.
Watford vs Stoke City
16:41
Corner, Stoke City. Conceded by James Morris.
Watford vs Stoke City
16:40
Dujon Sterling (Stoke City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Watford vs Stoke City
16:40
Substitution, Stoke City. Lewis Baker replaces Jordan Thompson.
Watford vs Stoke City
16:39
78' City change. Baker replaces Thompson.
🐝 2-0 🔴⚪️— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) May 8, 2023
Watford vs Stoke City
16:38
Attempt missed. Ryan Andrews (Watford) right footed shot from outside the box.
Watford vs Stoke City
16:38
Corner, Watford. Conceded by Morgan Fox.
Watford vs Stoke City
16:37
Two up in no time! 😮
A counter-attack ends up with Davis in possession inside the box, with the striker tucking his shot into the far corner!
⏱ 76’
🐝 2-0 ⚪️#WatfordFC https://t.co/JkK1ztKYny— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) May 8, 2023
Watford vs Stoke City
16:37
Josh Tymon (Stoke City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Watford vs Stoke City
16:37
Foul by Josh Tymon (Stoke City).
Watford vs Stoke City
16:36
DAVIS DOUBLES OUR LEAD! pic.twitter.com/GbdNtgGD4t
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) May 8, 2023
Watford vs Stoke City
16:35
75' 2-0. Davis.
🐝 2-0 🔴⚪️— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) May 8, 2023
Watford vs Stoke City
16:36
Goal! Watford 2, Stoke City 0. Keinan Davis (Watford) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Ken Sema.
Watford vs Stoke City
16:33
Louza puts us in front with a curling strike from the edge of the box!
⏱ 70’
🐝 1-0 ⚪️#WatfordFC https://t.co/n2FTW15DX0— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) May 8, 2023
Watford vs Stoke City
16:32
Foul by Nick Powell (Stoke City).
Watford vs Stoke City
16:32
FINISH, IMRÂN! 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/NZTc3R4GbI
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) May 8, 2023
Watford vs Stoke City
16:31
70' Goal for Watford. Louza.
🐝 1-0 🔴⚪️— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) May 8, 2023
Watford vs Stoke City
16:31
Goal! Watford 1, Stoke City 0. Imrân Louza (Watford) left footed shot from the right side of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Keinan Davis.
Watford vs Stoke City
16:30
Phil Jagielka (Stoke City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Watford vs Stoke City
16:29
Foul by Nick Powell (Stoke City).
Watford vs Stoke City
16:28
A double change.
⏱ 66’
🐝 0-0 ⚪️#WatfordFC | @Manscaped pic.twitter.com/0DtBWKRpHK— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) May 8, 2023
Watford vs Stoke City
16:29
Foul by Ben Pearson (Stoke City).
Watford vs Stoke City
16:27
66' Double Watford change. Araújo & Morris replace Koné & Kabasele.
🐝 0-0 🔴⚪️— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) May 8, 2023
Watford vs Stoke City
16:27
Substitution, Watford. James Morris replaces Christian Kabasele.
Watford vs Stoke City
16:27
Substitution, Watford. Henrique Araújo replaces Ismaël Koné.
Watford vs Stoke City
16:27
Attempt missed. Tyrese Campbell (Stoke City) left footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Ben Pearson.
Watford vs Stoke City
16:26
Nick Powell (Stoke City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Watford vs Stoke City
16:25
Foul by Dujon Sterling (Stoke City).
Watford vs Stoke City
16:21
Ben Pearson (Stoke City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Watford vs Stoke City
16:20
Foul by Nick Powell (Stoke City).
Watford vs Stoke City
16:18
Foul by William Smallbone (Stoke City).
Watford vs Stoke City
16:17
Foul by Ismaël Koné (Watford).
Watford vs Stoke City
16:17
Dujon Sterling (Stoke City) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Watford vs Stoke City
16:17
Nick Powell (Stoke City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Watford vs Stoke City
16:12
52' 🟨 Pearson is booked.
🐝 0-0 🔴⚪️— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) May 8, 2023
Watford vs Stoke City
16:12
Ben Pearson (Stoke City) is shown the yellow card.
Watford vs Stoke City
16:12
Ismaël Koné (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Watford vs Stoke City
16:11
Corner, Stoke City. Conceded by Wesley Hoedt.
Watford vs Stoke City
16:08
Christian Kabasele (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Watford vs Stoke City
16:07
Back underway.
⏱ 46’
🐝 0-0 ⚪️#WatfordFC pic.twitter.com/ae6B4GErrL— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) May 8, 2023
Watford vs Stoke City
16:07
Offside, Watford. Ryan Porteous tries a through ball, but Keinan Davis is caught offside.
Watford vs Stoke City
16:06
Second Half begins Watford 0, Stoke City 0.
Watford vs Stoke City
16:06
We're back underway for the final 45 of the season ▶️ pic.twitter.com/qsq8z1qeCp
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) May 8, 2023
Watford vs Stoke City
15:50
Goalless so far.#WatfordFC pic.twitter.com/SMHz1o3M48
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) May 8, 2023
Watford vs Stoke City
15:50
Goalless at the break. pic.twitter.com/MkLNeEvzhb
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) May 8, 2023
Watford vs Stoke City
15:50
First Half ends, Watford 0, Stoke City 0.
Watford vs Stoke City
15:49
45' We're into one added minute.
🐝 0-0 🔴⚪️— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) May 8, 2023
Watford vs Stoke City
15:50
Foul by Wesley Hoedt (Watford).
Watford vs Stoke City
15:50
Attempt missed. Keinan Davis (Watford) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right.
Watford vs Stoke City
15:48
45' Powell's header is held by Bachmann.
🐝 0-0 🔴⚪️— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) May 8, 2023
Watford vs Stoke City
15:48
Attempt saved. Nick Powell (Stoke City) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by William Smallbone with a cross.
Watford vs Stoke City
15:47
Foul by Keinan Davis (Watford).
Watford vs Stoke City
15:45
41' Smallbone fires wide at the back post after being picked out by Powell.
🐝 0-0 🔴⚪️— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) May 8, 2023
Watford vs Stoke City
15:46
Attempt missed. William Smallbone (Stoke City) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is close, but misses to the right.
Watford vs Stoke City
15:44
Corner, Watford. Conceded by Dujon Sterling.
Watford vs Stoke City
15:44
Attempt blocked. Ryan Andrews (Watford) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Keinan Davis.
Watford vs Stoke City
15:42
Corner, Watford. Conceded by William Smallbone.
Watford vs Stoke City
15:40
Offside, Watford. Christian Kabasele tries a through ball, but Ken Sema is caught offside.
Watford vs Stoke City
15:39
Ken Sema (Watford) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Watford vs Stoke City
15:42
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Watford vs Stoke City
15:39
Delay in match because of an injury Ryan Porteous (Watford).
Watford vs Stoke City
15:38
Offside, Watford. Wesley Hoedt tries a through ball, but Ismaïla Sarr is caught offside.
Watford vs Stoke City
15:38
Offside, Stoke City. Tyrese Campbell tries a through ball, but Nick Powell is caught offside.
Watford vs Stoke City
15:38
Foul by Ismaïla Sarr (Watford).
Watford vs Stoke City
15:36
Hand ball by Keinan Davis (Watford).
Watford vs Stoke City
15:36
Attempt blocked. Nick Powell (Stoke City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Morgan Fox.
Watford vs Stoke City
15:32
Christian Kabasele (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Watford vs Stoke City
15:30
A lively opening 25 🔋 pic.twitter.com/05ho9bJllX
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) May 8, 2023
Watford vs Stoke City
15:30
A pass from Andrews takes a deflection and falls to Sarr, who has his low shot saved.
⏱ 27’
🐝 0-0 ⚪️#WatfordFC— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) May 8, 2023
Watford vs Stoke City
15:30
Attempt saved. Ismaïla Sarr (Watford) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
Watford vs Stoke City
15:30
Attempt missed. Josh Tymon (Stoke City) left footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the left.
Watford vs Stoke City
15:27
Imrân Louza (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Watford vs Stoke City
15:25
Offside, Stoke City. Morgan Fox tries a through ball, but Josh Laurent is caught offside.
Watford vs Stoke City
15:24
A lively opening 20.#WatfordFC pic.twitter.com/oBLp8EDpOk
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) May 8, 2023
Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website
