Watford striker Josh King chipped in with a memorable hat-trick against Everton at the Goodison Park, which gave the Hornets a sensational 5-2 win against all the odds. Claudio Ranieri’s return to the Premier League was not off to the best of starts after the Reds of Merseyside smashed five past them, but they returned the favor to the other Merseyside clubs by scoring five against the Toffees.
King was at Everton last season, but Carlo Ancelotti failed to bring him on at regular intervals, and he was reduced to just 11 appearances. The 29-year-old said after the game that he had a point to prove in this fixture, and wanted to get on the scoresheet the moment he woke up Saturday morning.
“I didn’t get given a chance [at Everton], but I did wake up today and had a feeling. I was here but I didn’t feel like I got given a chance. That’s football – but I feel like every time someone doubts you, or doesn’t believe in you, you want to prove a point.
I felt I had a point to prove. I know it’s not personal, but I woke up and said to myself I have to be on my A game today. I didn’t expect a hat-trick, but I’ll take it!”
the Norwegian told Sky Sports.
It all started with a Tom Davies, who scored just 3 minutes into the game. King equalized soon after, with a parry from near post after Craig Cathcart headed a corner into his path. Richarlison scored just three minutes after coming on, with Michael Keane’s cross finding his header.
Watford managed to score three brilliant goals on the counter in a span of eight minutes, with Juraj Kucka scoring one and King scoring twice, completing 50 Premier League goals in the process.
Emmanuel Dennis displayed some silky footwork for an injury-time goal that sealed a 5-2 win for the Hornets, which places them further away from the relegation zone.
King became only the third player in Premier League history to score a hat-trick against a former side. Andy Cole (vs Newcastle United) and Marcus Bent (vs Blackburn) were the other two.
