SD Eibar slip to 1-0 defeat against Watford
The Armeros dominated virtually throughout but their efforts ultimately went unrewarded
SD Eibar succumbed to a 1-0 reverse at the hands of Watford in the first of the side's four outings in Austria.
The two teams cancelled each other out in an even start to an encounter which was played at a slow tempo on account of the suffocating heat in Kufstein. However, as the minutes ticked by, Eibar began to settle and started to enjoy the better of the chances. Bebé had an opportunity to have broken the deadlock halfway through the opening period with an effort from inside the area following some fine work out wide from Iván Alejo. A few minutes later, it was Kike who came a whisker away from making the breakthrough, with his effort turned away by Heurelho Gomes in the Watford goal.
The second half followed a similar script, with the Armeros once again on the front foot. However, Eibar gave possession away on the edge of their area on 77' and Marko Dmitrovic was unable to keep Étienne Capoue's powerful effort out. The Frenchman's strike ultimately proved to be the difference between the sides as the Premier League outfit claimed victory.
SD Eibar: Dmitrovic; Capa, Gálvez, Ramis (Unai, 81'), Juncà (Ruben Peña, 76'); Dani García, Escalante, Alejo, Bebé; Nano and Kike García.
Watford: Gomes (Bachmann, 62'); Janmaat, Kabasele, Prödl, Holebas; Watson (Chalobah, 46'), Capoue; Amrabat, Hughes (Doucoure, 46'), Berghuis (Sinclair, 46'); Okaka (Success, 62').
Goals: 1-0, Capoue (77').