Jonathan Woodgate defended his Bournemouth players after a brawl broke out in the closing stages of their 1-0 victory over promotion rivals Watford.

Hornets striker Joao Pedro and Cherries midfielder Jack Wilshere were both sent off in the stoppage-time fracas which saw coaching staff and substitutes from both camps spill onto the pitch.

The melee came after Arnaut Danjuma had set Bournemouth on the road to victory with his seventh goal of the season 17 minutes into the second half.

Bournemouth head coach Woodgate described the incident as "a tiny fracas" after the match and said it was simply a result of the players' passion.

“It did not look great, but that’s football and it was two teams very passionate and two sets of players who wanted to win," he said.

“It happens all the time in rugby and does not get talked about it but when it happens in football, everyone talks about it.”