Watford player chased by Portsmouth rivals as he taunts opponents after late win

Watford boss Tom Cleverley insists Kwadwo Baah’s send-off was ‘deserved’ after he taunted Portsmouth at full-time.

The Hornets’ charge for the play-offs took another step in the right direction thanks to a thrilling 2-1 victory over Portsmouth at Vicarage Road.

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Rocco Vata’s stoppage-time strike ensured three valuable points for Watford[/caption]

It was Pompey who struck first in the 10th minute through Zak Swanson, as he rifled home a volley off a failed Watford clearance.

But, as has often been the case for Watford this season in the Championship, they kicked into gear in the second half.

Cleverley’s side found the equaliser through Edo Kayembe’s penalty in the 57th minute.

However, there was still room for one final twist.

A long ball from Hornets goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann found its way to former Tottenham midfielder Moussa Sissoko, who had made a driving run beyond Portsmouth’s backline.

Sissoko couldn’t sort his feet out in time to have a shot on goal as Portsmouth goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid parried the ball away.

Unfortunately for Schmid, his efforts to divert the ball from danger landed at the feet of 19-year-old Rocco Vata, who squirmed a strike through a sea of Pompey shirts and into the back of the net.

Vata’s 95th-minute dagger proved to be the final act of the contest and helped Watford to their 11th win of the Championship campaign.

But the win would be soured by Baah, who decided to add insult to injury.

Baah ran over in front of the travelling Portsmouth supporters and taunted them.

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Baah enjoyed winding up the Portsmouth fans after the full-time whistle[/caption]

He then made an L-shape on his forehead and danced in front of Portsmouth’s players, some of whom charged at him out of frustration.

Baah then ran away from the scene but could not outrun the referee, who subsequently brandished a yellow card.

It was Baah’s second of the match, meaning he will miss Watford’s match against Cardiff City on Sunday.

Speaking after the match, Cleverley was in no mood to defend his star’s actions.

“We have to admit he’s deserved that one,” Cleverley said.

“We want to win with humility and dignity.

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Baah’s taunting left Portsmouth’s players irate as Hornets players had to intervene[/caption]

“I want all my players to play at the highest level they can. With that comes pressure and eyes on you and people will try to goad you. That’s what he was reacting to.

“You cant react to that as a top professional footballer. You will get abused and you just can’t react. That’s the nature of the beast.

“He’ll learn from this and unfortunately we’ll miss him for Sunday.”

The win for Watford lifted them up to 6th on 37 points, one point ahead of seventh-placed Middlesbrough.

As for Portsmouth, they remain one place and one point clear of the relegation zone, with Hull City occupying 22nd.

However, Portsmouth have the benefit of holding two games in hand.