Joao Factor

Pen pal Pedro lifts Hornets

Joao Pedro boosted Watford’s automatic promotion hopes by sealing their first league win at Preston for 42 years.

The Brazilian teenager bagged a controversial winner from the penalty spot as the battling Hornets climbed to third in the table and reduced the gap to just three points on second-placed Brentford.

Defeat was tough on the Lilywhites and especially winger Tom Barkhuizen, who was harshly penalized for a foul on Pedro, 19, who went on to convert from the spot in the 51st minute.