Watford 0-0 Brighton
By Andy Lewers, Digital Editor, Tales From
Watford continued their Premier League campaign with a valuable point at home to Brighton, despite playing the majority of the match with ten men.
Before kick off we caught up with Olly Wicken, creator of the popular podcast 'Hornet Heaven', to chat about his chapters in Tales from the Vicarage. You can watch the interview here.
Watford started brightly, with the same intensity that saw them run out 2-0 winners against Bournemouth last Saturday.
Amrabat was causing problems on the right and his cross on 11 minutes should have ended with a goal, but Richarlison and Gray got in each others way.
Premier League newbies Brighton, however, came back into the game. Still searching for their first goal and first points of the season, Vicarage Road favourite Anthony Knockaert smashed a shot against the post as the visitors began to ramp up the pressure.
The games main talking point occurred in the 24th minute. Knockaert and makeshift left-back Britos - who was replacing regular left-back Holebas following his red card on Tuesday - were sprinting towards the ball on the right.
As Britos closed in on the Frenchman, he made an almighty lunge and with his studs showing, clattered into Knockaert to bring him down. It was one of the most senseless, needless and worst tackles ever seen at Vicarage Road and he was deservedly shown a straight red card.
With Brighton now controlling the game the Watford goal was leading a charmed life. Hemed struck the post again with Watford holding on for half time.
Seconds after the restart Watford's defensive woes continued, as Cathcart went down with an injury. He was replaced by new signing Andre Carillo and Tom Cleverley had to drop in at right back for the remainder of the game.
Hemed had another chance to put the visitors ahead, but his volley following a corner went just wide of the goal.
Brighton were awarded an indirect free-kick in the penalty area following a high boot from Doucoure on Knockaert, but Watford's wall stood firm and blocked the resulting shot.
Prodl came close to snatching a goal against the run of play, but his header from a Chalobah free-kick went just over the bar.
Knockaert had the perfect chance to have the last laugh at Vicarage Road, after he found himself with a free header in front of an open goal two yards out, but he somehow managed to head the ball wide of the goal. This was met with much delight from the Rookery End.
Watford were beginning to tire, but Brighton kept pushing for the winner. Izquierdo hit the side netting with a fierce effort three minutes from the end.
The Hornets could have snatched something right at the death, but their free-kick was scrambled away by the Brighton defence.
Full time and it was a very well-earned point and an entertaining goalless draw.
With a little bit of luck and a lot of heart, the makeshift defence stood firm to see out what turned out to be an excellent point at Vicarage Road.
We go into the first break unbeaten in three and with an England international in our ranks.
It's a great time to be a Watford fan.
You 'Orns.
Watford continued their Premier League campaign with a valuable point at home to Brighton, despite playing the majority of the match with ten men.
Before kick off we caught up with Olly Wicken, creator of the popular podcast 'Hornet Heaven', to chat about his chapters in Tales from the Vicarage. You can watch the interview here.
Watford started brightly, with the same intensity that saw them run out 2-0 winners against Bournemouth last Saturday.
Amrabat was causing problems on the right and his cross on 11 minutes should have ended with a goal, but Richarlison and Gray got in each others way.
Premier League newbies Brighton, however, came back into the game. Still searching for their first goal and first points of the season, Vicarage Road favourite Anthony Knockaert smashed a shot against the post as the visitors began to ramp up the pressure.
The games main talking point occurred in the 24th minute. Knockaert and makeshift left-back Britos - who was replacing regular left-back Holebas following his red card on Tuesday - were sprinting towards the ball on the right.
As Britos closed in on the Frenchman, he made an almighty lunge and with his studs showing, clattered into Knockaert to bring him down. It was one of the most senseless, needless and worst tackles ever seen at Vicarage Road and he was deservedly shown a straight red card.
With Brighton now controlling the game the Watford goal was leading a charmed life. Hemed struck the post again with Watford holding on for half time.
Seconds after the restart Watford's defensive woes continued, as Cathcart went down with an injury. He was replaced by new signing Andre Carillo and Tom Cleverley had to drop in at right back for the remainder of the game.
Hemed had another chance to put the visitors ahead, but his volley following a corner went just wide of the goal.
Brighton were awarded an indirect free-kick in the penalty area following a high boot from Doucoure on Knockaert, but Watford's wall stood firm and blocked the resulting shot.
Prodl came close to snatching a goal against the run of play, but his header from a Chalobah free-kick went just over the bar.
Knockaert had the perfect chance to have the last laugh at Vicarage Road, after he found himself with a free header in front of an open goal two yards out, but he somehow managed to head the ball wide of the goal. This was met with much delight from the Rookery End.
Watford were beginning to tire, but Brighton kept pushing for the winner. Izquierdo hit the side netting with a fierce effort three minutes from the end.
The Hornets could have snatched something right at the death, but their free-kick was scrambled away by the Brighton defence.
Full time and it was a very well-earned point and an entertaining goalless draw.
With a little bit of luck and a lot of heart, the makeshift defence stood firm to see out what turned out to be an excellent point at Vicarage Road.
We go into the first break unbeaten in three and with an England international in our ranks.
It's a great time to be a Watford fan.
You 'Orns.