Stoke news: Joe Allen plays down bust-up with Watford striker Troy Deeney

JOE ALLEN played down his dust up with Troy Deeney but that is unlikely to save the Watford striker from FA action.

The Watford and Stoke playersGETTY

The Watford and Stoke players were involved in scrap during stoppage time

Both players were booked by referee Michael Oliver after sparking the late melee in a fiery match.

But video footage of Deeney grabbing Stoke midfielder Allen by the neck and digging his thumbs into the Welshman’s face will surely land him in hot water.

Retrospective punishment is set to follow, despite the incident being seen by Oliver, and with Allen later brushing off the coming together.

“It was handbags really and nothing to it,” said Allen. “I really like Troy, he is a good guy, and a really good player. It was nothing personal. 

“We were clinging on and we were expecting the ball back. They were chasing the equaliser and decided to play on. 

“These things happen. He is a big guy and we were both laughing. 

“I knew I was beaten in that situation – I have a bit of a bad habit of picking the wrong fights.”

In a poor game it was Darren Fletcher’s fine 16th minute volley which earned Stoke a much-needed win to ease the pressure building on manager Mark Hughes.

There were eight bookings in all and as many touchline brawls as clear cut chances.

After two major second half flashpoints, the FA may fine both clubs for failing to control their players. Deeney, on the other hand, can expect his own punishment with a three-game suspension potentially looming.

In Watford’s last home match Deeney claimed Arsenal’s defender had no ‘cajones’ but it was Stoke who bullied the hosts here.

Allen was just relieved to see the Potters return to winning ways and said: “Everyone knows our last couple of performances have not been great. 

“There should be a bit of perspective with the way Manchester City are playing at the minute. It was a bit embarrassing but it can happen. But the one which hurt was the Bournemouth game as our home form has been good. 

“We knew we could come and get a result here. It was far from our prettiest performance but it was all about the points.

“People will always be waiting to criticise us but at least we silenced them until next week.”

Watford have now suffered back-to-back defeats and defender Kiko Femenia said: “In the first half, we were not our normal selves. We threw it away.

“But we have to look at the positives in the way we tried to find a way back. I’d prefer to dwell on the positive aspects of our second-half performance.”

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