Watford 2-1 Middlesbrough: Five talking points from victory.
Watford overcame a disappointing loss to Preston and defeated Middlesbrough 2-1 at Vicarage Road to head into the international break on a strong note.
The Hornets were behind early in the second half when George Edmundsson took advantage of a mistake made by Ken Sema in defending a free kick. The first half ended in a goalless draw in which the only genuine attacking threat presented to the Hornets was on the counter.
The home team was still having trouble breaking through offensively, but Tom Cleverley’s substitutes proved to be effective as Edo Kayembe equalized and, three minutes into stoppage time, fellow replacement Kwadwo Baah volleyed home the team’s first league goal.
Here are five talking points we’ve selected from the Hornets’ win. Tell us what you think by using the comments facility on this page.
Positive changes
Any manager would hope that the men he brings on from the bench will improve the outcome of the match; Cleverley will be happy with how his worked out.
Within six minutes of his entrance, Kayembe equalized. He had initiated the move by releasing Ryan Andrews into space on the right with a pass.
Baah, a fellow replacement, would probably feel that he ought to have scored his first Championship goal for the team earlier today, but it turned out to be the game-winning goal as he volleyed in a Mattie Pollock flick after Andrews’ throw.
How impressed were you with Cleverley’s substitutions?
Defensively better
While Watford offered relatively little going forward until the latter stages of the game, their defensive organisation limited Middlesbrough’s opportunities despite the visitors having more of the possession and territory.
Boro’s goal came as a result of poor decision making – more of that below – and an individual mistake but, that apart, Jonathan Bond’s goal was largely kept well protected, although the keeper have to impress when keeping out an Emmanuel Latte Lath shot before doing even better to repel Ben Doak’s follow-up.
What did you make of Watford’s defensive display?
A difficult afternoon
Daniel Jebbison was given the nod over Vakoun Bayo to start up front but endured a difficult afternoon.
The young striker appeared almost to be trying to hard as he misplaced passes and headers and his game was summed up early in the second half when he didn’t play Moussa Sissoko into space in the right, instead checking back inside and eventually colliding with teammate Tom Ince.
Jebbison’s game ended just after the hour when he was replaced by Baah.
What was your view of Jebbison’s performance?
Decision making
Sema won’t want to think back on the error he made at the near post, allowing Finn Azaz’s free kick to slide between his legs and give
Middlesbrough the lead. However, if Watford had made a better judgment, the set piece would not have happened.
Ince’s options were limited as he was being closed down near to his own corner flag, but instead of choosing for the safety first option of touch he attempted a backheel infield which led to Tom Dele-Bashiru giving the free-kick.
On the other hand, Kayembe made the proper call in releasing Andrews on the right, which allowed the Hornets to tie the game.
How did the Hornets make decisions during the game, in your opinion?
Mind the gap
Watford now have a two-week break before their next game – and it’s a rather important one.
Form often goes out of the window in local derbies and Watford’s results on the road have not been good since the opening day of the season, but they should still look forward to the trip to Luton Town with confidence.
Luton is in 21st place with just eight points, while Watford is sixth in the table with sixteen.
Luton is returning along the M1 tonight after losing at Sheffield United, while Watford will enter the match fresh off a victory.
To what extent do you think the Hornets have hope at Kenilworth Road?
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