Watford were left humiliated on Saturday evening, as they saw their first FA Cup final in 35 years turn into a nightmare as they lost 6-0 to Manchester City at Wembley Stadium, and after the match their fans turned on a man who could have altered the state of the contest completely at one point.
The Hornets went into the clash knowing they would have to be at their very best and get a bit of luck along the way, if they were to win their first major piece of silverware, and secure a place in Europe next season as a result.
They almost got off to the perfect start with Watford attacker Roberto Pereyra got on the end of a fine move on the counter attack, only to fire straight at Ederson when he really should have scored.
While the Hornets would have wanted to take encouragement from that opportunity, their heads actually dropped and it was their opponents who sensed vulnerability and put them to the sword.
Watford were never in the cup final after that, as a brace from Gabriel Jesus after the opener from David Silva, along with a Kevin de Bruyne strike and two more for Raheem Sterling earned the treble winners a totally emphatic victory.
After the match Hornets fans took to social media to react to their defeat with Pereyra very much the attention of their wrath.
If his missed chance was not bad enough for the Watford supporters, many accused him of bottling a challenge which led to City scoring their third goal, and that has led to their patience finally running thin with the attacker.
Pereyra began the season in fine form for the Hornets, but things have been very average for him since then, and a number of fans suggested they would not miss him if he doesn’t play for the club again.
Here are some of their messages:
I’ve said it before & I’ll say it again, keeping Deulofeu & Capoue is absolutely paramount. I’d also take whatever we can for Pereyra & Doucoure. #Watfordfc
— Owen (@OwenBowe) May 19, 2019
The only way #WatfordFC could have gotten a result yesterday was if City wasn't up for it. But they were up for it.
The idea that had Pereyra scored, things would be different, was a long shot at best. Brighton scored first and were still smashed by a ruthless side.
— Hanson Ho ⚽ 🥌 ⚾ (@bidetofevil) May 19, 2019
Hopefully that’s the last time I have to watch Maxi Pereyra mincing around in a #watfordfc shirt. Work your magic Gino and persuade some whopper to part with 20 million for him over the summer please.
— Lee Byford (@LeeByford) May 19, 2019
Pereyra honestly can jog on to Italy after today #WatfordFC
— Rookery Geezer (@RookeryGeezer) May 18, 2019
Proud of them but do want to put out there that Pereyra can just go. Game was lost already but not getting stuck in and even not jumping leading to their third goal just sums him up. Can’t have passengers in the premier league #watfordfc
— Jamie (@JostrichWFC) May 18, 2019
Proud despite that heavy defeat. Gulf in class and that's just the way it is. Our heads dropped sadly and we're left with plenty of what ifs. If only Roberto Pereyra had scored *that* chance at 0-0… #watfordfc #FACupFinal
— Matt Ford (@MattFord_NA) May 18, 2019
Pereyra again, bottled a challenge on halfway. The sooner this pathetic bottler leaves our club the better. #watfordfc
— Nick (@ngwfc1881) May 18, 2019
Pereyra’s last game for Watford you say? See ya. #watfordfc
— Nick (@ngwfc1881) May 18, 2019
