Bournemouth substitute Jack Wilshere was shown a second yellow card for his part in the melee
Arnaut Danjuma squeezed home the only goal as Bournemouth beat high-flying Watford in an ill-tempered game to stay firmly in the promotion hunt.
Cherries midfielder Jack Wilshere was sent off deep into stoppage time after a mass brawl sparked by Joao Pedro's late challenge which saw the Hornets forward also shown a second yellow card.
Netherlands striker Danjuma struck the winner low on the half-volley after a long free-kick, beating goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann at his near post from a narrow angle.
It came minutes after a previously sedate match sprung to life - Danjuma twice going close for Bournemouth and Tom Cleverley denied at the other end - while Ismaila Sarr went agonisingly close to prodding in a leveller from Ken Sema's header.
- Relive Bournemouth's win over Watford
Victory is Bournemouth's first since head coach Jonathan Woodgate was appointed for the rest of the season and moved them back into the Championship play-off places, in fifth, before the 15:00 GMT games, while Watford stayed third, seven points behind leaders Norwich, after seeing their four-game winning run ended.
The first sign of animosity between the sides came just before Danjuma's goal, as Watford's Nathaniel Chalobah was booked after appearing to push opposing midfielder Jefferson Lerma in the face.
Replays showed Bournemouth's Lerma made the most of the incident, with Chalobah's yellow his 10th of the season - meaning he will miss the Hornets' next two matches.
From that point on there was a fiery undercurrent to the game which spilled over when Pedro caught Lerma with a sliding challenge, sparking clashes between players.
Former Arsenal and England man Wilshere - only on as a 75th-minute substitute - earned his second yellow card in five minutes for his part in the melee, with play briefly resuming before the final whistle.
Watford's best opportunity came with the game goalless when Cleverley was put through by Sarr, but Asmir Begovic saved his low effort.
For Xisco Munoz's visitors it was only a second league defeat in 12, while it was a good response from Bournemouth after back-to-back defeats by QPR and Cardiff.
- Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text
Line-upsBournemouth
Formation 4-3-3
1Begovic15A Smith18Carter-Vickers3S Cook5Kelly16L Cook22Pearson8Lerma19Stanislas9Solanke10Danjuma Groeneveld
- 1BegovicBooked at 90mins15A Smith18Carter-Vickers3S Cook5Kelly16L CookBooked at 47mins22PearsonSubstituted forBillingat 86'minutes8Lerma19StanislasSubstituted forWilshereat 75'minutesBooked at 90mins9SolankeSubstituted forLongat 80'minutes10Danjuma Groeneveld
Substitutes
- 6Mepham11Wilshere12Long20Riquelme21Rico23Travers26Kilkenny29Billing32Anthony
Watford
Formation 4-3-3
26Bachmann21FemenÃa15Cathcart31Sierralta11Masina8Cleverley19Hughes14Chalobah23Sarr10João Pedro12Sema
- 26Bachmann21FemenÃa15Cathcart31Sierralta11MasinaBooked at 34minsSubstituted forLazaarat 76'minutes8Cleverley19HughesBooked at 49mins14ChalobahBooked at 60minsSubstituted forGoslingat 76'minutes23SarrBooked at 90mins10João PedroBooked at 90mins12SemaSubstituted forPericaat 84'minutes
Substitutes
- 3Ngakia5Troost-Ekong6Wilmot7Zinckernagel16Gosling17Lazaar18Gray25Perica33Elliot
Referee:Tony HarringtonMatch StatsHome TeamBournemouthAway TeamWatfordPossessionHome37%Away63%ShotsHome7Away12Shots on TargetHome3Away1CornersHome5Away4FoulsHome13Away19Live TextPost update
Match ends, Bournemouth 1, Watford 0.
90'+10'Full Time
Second Half ends, Bournemouth 1, Watford 0.
90'+9'Dismissal
Second yellow card to Jack Wilshere (Bournemouth).
90'+8'Booking
Ismaila Sarr (Watford) is shown the yellow card.
90'+7'Booking
Asmir Begovic (Bournemouth) is shown the yellow card.
90'+7'Dismissal
Second yellow card to João Pedro (Watford) for a bad foul.
90'+7'Post update
Foul by João Pedro (Watford).
90'+7'Post update
Jefferson Lerma (Bournemouth) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+5'Booking
João Pedro (Watford) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
90'+5'Post update
Foul by João Pedro (Watford).
90'+5'Post update
Jefferson Lerma (Bournemouth) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+3'Booking
Jack Wilshere (Bournemouth) is shown the yellow card.
90'+2'Post update
Foul by Ismaila Sarr (Watford).
90'+2'Post update
Shane Long (Bournemouth) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+1'Post update
Corner, Watford. Conceded by Lloyd Kelly.
90'+1'Post update
Attempt blocked. João Pedro (Watford) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Will Hughes.
90'+1'Post update
Will Hughes (Watford) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
90'+1'Post update
Foul by Jack Wilshere (Bournemouth).
90'Post update
Attempt missed. Achraf Lazaar (Watford) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Tom Cleverley following a set piece situation.
89'Post update
João Pedro (Watford) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Source: bbc.com