SMART ALEX SMASHES IT!

Ismael in awe of Mowatt’s winner

- Chris Dunlavy

ALEX Mowatt’s 30-yard thunderbolt was enough to down toothless Watford and give new boss Valerien Ismael his second win of the week.

The former Leeds midfielder pounced on a mistake from Ben Wilmot before unleashing a trademark effort that went in via Ben Foster’s far post.

Winless in seven Championship games when Ismael replaced Gerhard Struber last week, the Tykes – who held off a sustained late barrage from Watford – now sit just five points shy of the play-offs.

“It is the perfect week, and the perfect game,” said Ismael, who guided Austrian side LASK Linz to the last 16 of the Europa League last season. “I’m very proud of the guys, because Watford is a tough opponent. You look at their roster and it is very wide. Full of quality.

“The first half was exactly what we wanted. To press high. To win the ball in the opposing half and get quickly to the goal. The second half was a big fight, but you need that also.

“The message was that this league is very close, and if you invest everything in a game then you can beat any opponent. It is a good feeling.”