OH MY WORD! Mat Ryan almost threw it away! A lofted ball into the area is fumbled by the Australian stopper but Watford can't tuck it home, instead poking it over the bar, and that sums up the Hornets' afternoon.
90' +3
J. Izquierdo enters the game and replaces S. March.
Final change of the game and that should be that. Izquierdo will probably get an appearance bonus but he won't get much of a run out here, as he replaces March for the dying moments.
90' +1
Three minutes left! Brighton have the end in their sights, Watford running out of time!
89'
Time is ticking away here and I've just realised we haven't had a single booking in this game. Perhaps referee Paul Tierney isn't a fan of Christmas cards...
87'
G. Murray enters the game and replaces T. Hemed.
Second change for Brighton as Hemed, who's done well leading the line but needs to find a pair of shooting boots under his tree this Christmas, is replaced by Glenn Murray.
86'
Brighton have had plenty of chances to put this game beyond any doubt and the concern is that it could come back to haunt them. There isn't long left but there is still time for Watford to snatch a draw.
84'
MISSED! How on earth have Brighton not extended their lead! It's another dangerous attack and a shot deflects into the path of Knockaert. Gomes is scrambing across his goal and it seems that he'll be beaten- but the ball is struck into the side netting!
83'
B. Kayal enters the game and replaces P. Groß.
Brighton's first change of the game sees goalscorer Gross leave the field to an ovation from the home supporters. Kayal takes his place, for what is a crucial finale to the match.
82'
That was the chance! Agonisingly close for Watford! Brighton can't get it away and a lofted ball into the area from Holebas finds Richarlison. He has the goal at his mercy but he nods the header wide of the target. A huge waste!
80'
Whilst the difference stands at just one goal, Watford still have a chance of snatching something but they've failed to create any significant chances in eighty minutes, so it doesn't look promising.
Minute
Description
78'
S. Okaka enters the game and replaces A. Gray.
Final change for Watford sees Andre Gray's afternoon come to an end. He's been really disappointing and it's no surprise to see Okako take his spot leading the line.
77'
Dangerous opportunity for Watford to create an opening following a foul out ide, which Cleverley whips towards the penalty spot. Kabasele is there but he gets under the ball, sending his header way off target.
76'
It's really starting to be concerning for Watford. They've lost their edge and they're slipping down the Premier League standings as a result. Despite their attacking prowess, they've failed to get anything going here and are fortunate to only be one goal behind.
74'
É. Capoue enters the game and replaces B. Watson.
Another change for Watford, as Capoue comes on to replace Ben Watson.
73'
CHANCE! Oh Hemed! Brighton may live to regret these misses! March gets the better of his man out wide and feeds the ball into the number ten in the area, who turns in the box but fires wide of the mark.
72'
Brighton had scored just one goal in six matches heading into this game and were in risk of being sucked into the relegation battle. Gross' goal therefore has increased significance, as a points tally of 21 as things stand leaves the Seagulls over halfway towards their 40 point target.
71'
J. Sinclair enters the game and replaces R. Pereyra.
It's about time! Watford finally make a change and Pereyra, who I don't think I've mentioned since the line-ups, is replaced by Jerome Sinclair.
69'
CLOSE! That should have been two! Brighton have been dangerous from set-pieces throughout the match and Gross' corner once again causes problems, with Gomes caught in no man's land. That leaves the goal gaping for Dunk but he fails to hit the target.
68'
You would have perhaps expected a response from Watford but thats not the case at all, with Brighton looking more likely to extend their lead rather than the Hornets clawing their way back into the game.
66'
It's not going to be a nice Christmas for Watford. After a superb start to the season, things have really started to dip. I wonder if Marco Silva regrets not heading to Everton?
64'
P. Groß has scored a goal for Brighton & Hove Albion! Assist by T. Hemed.
GOAL! Oh dear Gomes hang your head in shame! It's from absolutely nothing but Brighton have the lead! Watford sloppily give the ball away in midfield and Brighton hit on the counter. Gross cuts inside and strikes at goal just outside the area but he doesn't get a clean connection to it at all. No matter though, as Gomes makes a hash of it and it squeezes into the goal!
Hemed gets the assist but it's Gomes who has played the biggest part in that goal. Watford, as it stands, will see their winless run extend to six games- and Brighton have got the goal that they deserve.
63'
Credit where it's due for Brighton, they are creating some decent attacking moves. Unfortunately, there haven't found someone able to finish the chances they craft.
62'
A decent spell in the game for Watford but we're still yet to see Marco Silva's side create a clear-cut opportunity. It's been a game of half chances and it's been very disappointing.
60'
Hemed might regret striking that! He's flagged offside but still tries a shot at goal but he fails to hit the target. It pretty much sums up the afternoon.
58'
CLOSE! Gross has been a creative hub in this match but he's tried his luck at goal from outside the area, seeing a shot bobble past the post. Gomes looked to have it covered but he didn't look too comfortable.
56'
SAVE! Watford finally create something! Richarlison is fed through and the Brazilian fires a fierce shot towards the near post, where Ryan palms it behind. From the resulting corner, the Aussie stopper then rises high to claim the ball when it came back into the area.
55'
Every time Watford get into the attacking third, they sloppily give the ball away. Yes Deeney is a big loss but this is frankly ridiculous.
53'
Down the flanks, Brighton are electric but the final ball has been poor. Gross takes another corner and fires it to the back post once again but Dunk can't direct his header on target.
51'
Earth to Watford, any signs of a promising attack? The Hornets continue to be wasteful on the ball and it seems highly likely that their winless run will extend to six matches.
49'
Oh what a move! Brighton's slick play unleashes Hemed, who surges up field using his pace. The Seagulls move it around on the edge of the box but struggle to find an opening, with Hemed then lashing a shot way over the bar.
47'
As you were in terms of the line-ups and also in the flow of the game, where Brighton are on the front foot once again.
45' +1
One minute added on at the end of the first period. I'd imagine the majority of the fans in the stadium have already gone to the kiosks to get their refreshments.
45'
KICK-OFF! Not sure if I can use the word action, giving the first half display, but they're kicking a ball around at the Amex again. Brighton now attacking to the left.
44'
Edging towards the break after a disappointing first-half. You spend all week thinking up Christmas puns and then you're treated to a scrappy game like this!
42'
Richarlison has barely got a sniff here and he's just wasted a threatening attack. Watford were flying forward and the Brazilian had plenty of support but he elected to strike from outside the box. He barely connects with it, as his attempt trickles into the hands of Ryan.
40'
You'd expect a side with Watford's Premier League experience to be a lot more threatening in attack. Without captain and leading man Troy Deeney, the Hornets have struggled to buzz. From this display, you can see why summer signing Andre Gray has struggled to secure regular starts.
38'
Slick attacking move from Brighton sees plenty of space made available but Knockaert tries one too many flicks and has the ballen stolen off him inside the area by Richarlison.
36'
Brighton will certainly want to get something before the break but the aforementioned Knockeart is unable to provide the goods, striking from distance but it's a comfortable save for a stopper of Gomes' calibre.
34'
Brighton certainly the better of the two teams here but their dominance hasn't led to many clear cut opportunities. Knockaert certainly seems to be the best player on the field at the moment and he's being giving plenty of room to work with by Watford's defence.
32'
Almost the perfect first Premier League appearance for Goldson there but Gomes, who seemed to have been caught underneath the delivery, recovered brilliantly to prevent the opening goal.
30'
SAVE! Finally some action! Gross' corner finds Goldson in acres of space and he heads towards the near post, only to be prevented by a fine save from Gomes. From the following corner, Watford stand firm.
28'
The match is still hanging in the balance but neither Ryan or Gomes have been tested so far. Both teams need to improve in the attacking third.
24'
Brighton look dangerous down the flanks, led by Knockaert and March, and Watford don't look able to cope with the threat at the moment.
22'
Watford now enjoying the run of the game again but we're yet to see either side test the opposing goalkeeper.
20'
Corner for Watford, after Janmaat's cross is blocked behind, and Holebas heads over to deliver. Plenty of pushing and pulling going on in the area but Brighton get the ball away.
18'
The game has settled down again now, with Watford starting to see more of the ball. With Richarlison, Gray and Carrillo amidst their attack, they should certainly be dangerous on the counter.
16'
OUCH! That's a poor challenge from Propper, who comes over the ball and catches Cleverley. He's fortunate to escape a yellow card, instead earning a telling off from the referee.
15'
Watford really need to get themselves going. Richarlison has been their brightest player this season but he's barely got on the ball in the opening quarter of an hour.
13'
Brighton close again! A slick move on the left-side leads to an inviting cross into the middle, where Hemed is inches away from getting a decisive touch.
12'
Warning signs should certainly be ringing for Watford. They seemed to have the edge in the opening few minutes but the tide of the game swiftly changed- and the Hornets' defence is struggling already.
10'
Gomes almost with a howler! A cross from the left side is fumbled by the experienced stopper. Knockaert pounces but, unfortunately, is unable to hit the target.
9'
Brighton hit again! The hosts are finding plenty of joy down the right hand side but they haven't brought their shooting boots by the way it looks, as they waste another promising chance.
7'
Gross smashes a shot from distance over the bar but Brighton have started to make their impression on the game. Watford are scrappy at the back and the Seagulls almost manage to take advantage.
5'
CHANCE! Two opportunities in quick succession for Brighton! Hemed skips past the defence and drags a shot across goal, which is picked up by Knockeart, and his low delivery into the six-yard box is palmed away by Gomes- with no Brighton man there to tuck home.
4'
Early signs are promising for the Hornets then but the key today is keeping their heads. They've seen players sent off in each of their last three Premier League matches and their tally of four dismissals is the highest in the division.
2'
Watford have started on the front foot, with a dangerous ball into the box collected in the air by Ryan, and are boasting most of the early possession.
1'
KICK-OFF! We're underway at the Amex, where Brighton kick to the right.
Good afternoon and welcome to our LIVE text commentary of the clash between Brighton and Watford at the Amex Stadium, where both teams are looking for points as the Premier League reaches the halfway mark in the campaign.
Brighton, 13th in the table and three points above the drop zone, are around abouts where they expected to be but will know that the margins at the bottom of the Premier League are extremely slim. 40 points is usually the golden mark for sides battling against the drop, so 20 points after 19 games is the aim. The Seagulls currently have 18 after 18 matches, so today is a huge game.
Watford boss Marco Silva also makes three changes to his side, the biggest one of which sees Troy Deeney absent through suspension. Gray therefore leads the line ahead of Pereyra, who comes into the side along with Watson, with Capoue dropping to the bench and Doucoure also missing due to suspension.
Chris Hughton makes three changes to his Brighton side that drew 0-0 with Burnley last week, with Murray dropping to the bench and Hemed leading the line. Two defensive changes see Bong and Shane Duffy drop out, the latter of whom is suspended, and their spots are taken by Goldson and Suttner.
Watford XI: Huerelho Gomes; Daryl Janmaat, Sebastian Prodl, Christian Kabasele, Jose Holebas; Tom Cleverley, Ben Watson; Andre Carrillo, Roberto Pereyra, Richarlison; Andre Gray.
Brighton subs: Tim Krul, Beram Kayal, Sam Baldock, Jose Izquierdo, Uwe Hunemeier, Glenn Murray, Ezequiel Schelotto.
Brighton XI: Mat Ryan; Bruno, Connor Goldson, Lewis Dunk, Markus Suttner; Dale Stephens, Davy Propper; Anthony Knockeart, Pascal Gross, Solly March; Tomer Hemed.
Watford, meanwhile, have been one of the Premier League's surprise packages at times this season but things have started to slowly slip away from Marco Silva's side. A 4-1 loss to Huddersfield last time out has seen the Hornets go five games without a win, now finding themselves sat in mid-table.
Well, that was uneventful. The first-half comes to a close and we haven't really seen too much here to talk about. Brighton have been the better side and Watford's attack looks inefficient without Troy Deeney.
Brighton have had the majority of the ball but have nothing to show for their efforts. In truth, they haven't really crafted too many opportunities but their best chance of the half came via a corner, where Pascal Gross' delivery found Connor Goldson with plenty of room at the far post- but Gomes saved well.
Watford, meanwhile, look like a team strung together this morning. There is no cohesion, no attacking intent and nothing to get excited about at all. At least when they were having players sent off there was something to talk about!
Watford subs: Orestis Karnezis, Molla Wague, Jerome Sinclair, Adrian Mariappa, Stefano Okaka, Michael Folivi, Etienne Capoue.
FULL-TIME! Pascal Gross' goal hands Brighton a crucial three points and it's set to be a very Merry Christmas indeed. It's their first victory at home in three months and it takes them past the 20 point mark at the halfway stage of the season. For Watford, it's now six games without a win and they're edging dangerously close towards the relegation battle.
The Seagulls are now just a single point behind Watford in the table and crucially have a five-point cushion over the relegation zone. There is still work to be done but this is the perfect result to kickstart their busy festive schedule, where they face Chelsea on Boxing Day before crucial clashes with Newcastle and Bournemouth as we head into the New Year.
For Watford, their margin over the drop zone is six points. It's a nice buffer but it can't quickly be ruled out, especially with the Hornets enduring a woeful run of form. Marco Silva's side need to find a response quickly and the significance of their forthcoming games with fellow strugglers Leicester City and Swansea has risen dramatically.
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