Premier League: Watford hold Everton
Watford 0-0 Everton
A much-changed Watford side earned a 0-0 draw against Everton.
In a poor game, Chances were few and far between for both teams throughout. Samuel Kalu and Moussa Sissoko were among those most likely to break the deadlock in yellow.
A point against the Toffees marks the end of an 11-game losing streak at home for Watford, who have already been relegated to the Championship.
Due to several injuries, manager Roy Hodgson was forced to make several changes to the starting eleven that had lined up at Crystal Palace last time out. Three academy scholars were named on the bench for their first taste of Premier League action.
Everton, who still need every point they can get to help their bid for survival, named their strongest possible team.
In terms of the action, Michael Keane was fortunate that his miskick around the edge of the Everton danger area bobbled safely to goalkeeper Jordan Pickford a minute later, and then Kalu again posed a threat but just couldn’t quite connect with Ken Sema’s smart through-ball at close range.
The away side gradually grew into the game and Christian Kabasele had to be alert to divert an Anthony Gordon effort out for a corner, from which former Hornet Richarlison blasted a deflected effort towards goal.
Watch the highlights here. Footage from the Everton YouTube account.
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Moments later it was Watford on the attack once again, Kalu this time fired high off-target. This was a sign that the home side were going to miss an opportunity to pick up a very rare three points.
Kalu maintained his high energy and shot narrowly over the bar with a set-piece of his own a few moments before the half-time whistle, and with no time added on at the end of the first period, the teams went into the break level.
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Watford reaction
💬 “It was nice to see them on the pitch, working hard for the team as a collective.”
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) May 12, 2022
Ben Foster spoke after #WATEVE. pic.twitter.com/QFoqPLEtZ8
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The Hornets burst out of the blocks after the interval and Pickford did well to rush out of his box to deny João Pedro one-on-one, shortly before skipper Sissoko rose highest to meet a free-kick but couldn’t quite connect with his header as desired.
Richarlison served a reminder of Everton’s threat in the 53rd minute with a deflected shot that required a Foster save, and Demarai Gray enjoyed the best chance of the match just after the hour when he latched on to a loose ball and played a neat one-two with Alex Iwobi, but could only skew his tame effort wide of Foster’s goal.
The home side weathered the Everton storm and earned control of possession shortly past the 70-minute mark, reducing their opponents to a solitary, ambitious Gordon effort in the following 10 minutes.
With Everton looking for three points to aid their relegation fears, Hodgson sent the experienced Craig Cathcart on late in the game. He helped Watford stand firm and take a share of the spoils at full-time.
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Everton reaction
🗨️ | “We wanted more tonight but nothing is given in football. When you don’t get what you want, you have to make sure you don’t lose - we take the point.”
— Everton (@Everton) May 11, 2022
Frank’s #WATEVE verdict: pic.twitter.com/SV91cC499K
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