London (AFP) - Southampton got a taste of what to expect during the rest of the season as they were taunted about the Spygate scandal during a 2-1 loss away to Watford in their Championship opener on Sunday.

The Saints were expelled from last season’s Championship play-off final after admitting they had broken league rules by observing a training session held by semi-final opponents Middlesbrough, as well as two other similar incidents during the season.

They also received a four-point deduction that will be applied to the ²⁰²⁶⁄₂₇ Championship table.

Southampton manager Tonda Eckert insisted observing opposition teams’ training session was common practice in other countries, including his native Germany, but accepted that was no excuse for being ignorant of regulations applying to English football.

Southampton owner Dragan Solak kept faith with the 33-year-old Eckert.

There was plenty of heckling, from both Watford players and supporters, at Vicarage Road on Sunday.

First-half goals from Iker Bravo and teenage academy product Amin Nabizada saw new Watford manager Alessio Dionisi make a winning start to the season.

Canada international Cyle Larin pulled a goal back for Southampton in the 56th minute, but that was as good as it got for the visitors.

When Saints defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis, seen as one of the villains of the Spygate affair, screwed a stoppage-time shot wide he was verbally riled by several Watford players.

Eckert, however, refused to be drawn on the reception his players received, which is likely to be replicated at other CHampionship grounds this season.

“Obviously, communications are going on between the club and the FA in the background, but once you step onto the grass either for a training session or the sidelines, it is what it is, all of that disappears,” he said.

- Flemming double -

Burnley manager Nicky Hayen, meanwhile, urged Zian Flemming to stay at Turf Moor after his late double strike earned the Clarets a 2-2 draw at home to West Ham in a clash between two teams both relegated from the Premier League last season.

The 28-year-old Dutch forward, Burnley’s top-scorer last term, was on target from the penalty spot in the 83rd minute before equalising in stoppage time.

Flemming has been linked with a move to several Premier League clubs during the summer transfer window and Hayen joked after Sunda’s success at Turf Moor: “It didn’t help that he scored two times today!.

“No, I’m really pleased with his performance…But also, as I said, the way we play also suits him but maybe it’s the best choice for him to stay because he can be even more important than before.

“Maybe wait for six months and during the winter break, maybe it can change every time, but the way he feels I think he enjoys himself and that’s the most important thing at the moment.”

West Ham were on course for victory when Manor Solomon added to Max Kilman’s header with 18 minutes remaining

“After we scored the second we should have done better to keep the result,” said Hammers manager Nuno Espirito Santo.

West Ham broke the Championship transfer record on Saturday to bring in Belgium midfielder Arne Engels from Scottish champions Celtic in a reported £22 million ($30 million) deal.

Sunday’s match was too soon for the 22-year-old to make his debut for the London club but Nuno said he was looking to sign more players before the window shuts.

“The club knows the targets and the needs of the team,” he said. “We are working very hard and trying to get bodies in as soon as possible.”