Watford 1 Sheff Utd 2 minute-by-minute report
Former head coach Chris Wilder came back to Vicarage Road to defeat Watford as Sheffield United won 2-1.
The Hornets had their chances in a game that was never dull, but didn’t take them and, when they fell behind again in the second half, they didn’t do enough with the possession they had.
Tom Cleverley shuffled his pack after the disappointment of the defeat at QPR on New Year’s Day, and made five changes to the starting line-up.
Angelo Ogbonna returned to the defence, Ryan Andrews was at wing-back, Imran Louza was fit again and joined Edo Kayembe in midfield, while Rocco Vata moved up from the bench.
Ryan Porteous, Moussa Sissoko, Tom Ince, Vakoun Bayo and Yasser Larouci all dropped to the bench.
The first was even and interesting to watch.
The visitors went ahead but the Watford response was brisk and impressive with a fine pass from Kwadwo Baah helping a first Watford goal for Jeremy Ngakia.
United regained the lead in the second half and although Watford exerted a lot of pressure they didn’t really create enough big chances.
The game ended with Dan Bachmann stretchered off after suffering an injury right at the end.
Here’s how the game unfolded:
1 - Half a scare as Andre Brooks crosses and One rises but glances his header wide.
9 - Hamer plays Brooks in, centre of goal, but Bachmann is quickly off his line to save with his leg.
13 – Watford 0 Sheff Utd1 (Hamer)
O'Hare slides a pass through to Hamer, who might have been offside, and he slots past Bachmann.
26 - Louza spotted the run of Vata and set him free on the left. The forward cut in, took on a defender but then dragged his shot wide.
31 - Nearly an utter disaster as Bachmann tries a Cruyff turn deep in his own box, O'Hare makes a tackle and the ball runs narrowly wide of the empty goal.
45+3 - Hamer curls a 20-yard free-kick round the wall and Bachmann dives to hold.
Half-time – Watford 1 Sheff Utd
53 – Watford 1 Sheff Utd 2 (Brooks)
Watford didn't clear a free-kick but that can't take away from Brooks fine curling shot from the corner of the box.
66 - Great, great chance as Baah steals the ball on the right, goes into the box and drags it back to Chakvetadze. He seems set to score but Ahmedodzic flings himself in the way to block.
68 - Davies tees up O'Hare in the box but Bachmann stands up well and blocks.
68 - Watford break, Chakvetadze carries the ball into the box and then slips it left to Vata and his shot his pushed away by Cooper.
90+1 - Big shouts for handball as Watford play the ball into the box and it appears to strike the arm of Robinson, but referee Mr Webb says no. Replays show the ball definitely hit an outstretched arm.
90+3 Larouci clipped a cross to the back of the six-yard box and Bayo headed just wide.
Full time – Watford 1 Sheff Utd 2
Watford: Bachmann; Sierralta, Pollock, Ogbonna (Bayo 65); Andrews (Ebosele 81), Louza, Kayembe (Sissoko 81), Ngakia (Larouci 71); Vata, Baah, Chakvetadze. Subs: Bond, Porteous, Ince, Doumbia, Morris
