Watford 1 – 1 Charlton: Match Report

 

Despite the hosts’ reputation for being one of the Championship’s most progressive and attractive sides, Saturday’s fixture between Watford and Charlton at Vicarage Road was an often tetchy and scrappy affair. Gianfranco Zola’s assortment of Granada and Udineseimports often struggled to carve open clear-cut chances against a stubborn Charlton defence.

 

Chris Powell’s side lined up with just one change from their last fixture against Leicester; Richard Wood in for Leon Cort to make up the back-three alongside DorianDervite and Michael Morrison. In the early exchanges it looked as if that slight tweak had unsettled the trio, with the diminutive Fernando Forestieri racing in between Michael Morrison and wing-back Lawrie Wilson twice in the opening exchanges – only to curl both of his shots narrowly past the post.

 

After the early scares, Charlton grew into the game and could even be deemed unlucky not to be ahead at the break. Wood had stuffed the ball past Manuel Almuniaafter Dervite flicked on from a free-kick, while Simon Church was cynically hauled down by Essaid Belkalemas he raced through on goal, the Algerian defender lucky to escape with just a booking.

 

The Addicks didn’t have to wait too long after the re-start until they did grab the lead, however. Straight from kick-off, good work from Pritchard freed Wilson in the box. The long-haired right back was scythed down byBelkalem – penalty given. In stark contrast to the spot-kick that sent him to infamy, Kermorgant stepped up and smashed the ball into the roof of the net.

 

Belkalem was fortunate not to see a second yellow – but he wasn’t the only one to escape warranted punishment in an angry affair. Watford fans got flustered with Church adjudged to have thrown a punch, and were enraged when the referee only showed the Welsh striker a yellow card. Of course, there was no similar outrage for Troy Deeney’s strangling attempt that provoked it.

 

Watford found a deserved equaliser through Daniel Pudilwith just under 20 minutes to go. Hamer was unable to get a hold of Diego Fabbrini’s snapshot, and Pudilpounced to level the score. New Scotland star IkechiAnya, was introduced for the Hornets, and he almost laidon the winner after a brilliant run and cut back to TroyDeeney was harmlessly sent over by the striker. LewisMcGugan’s 25-yard drive, that whistled past Hamer’spost, was the closest they came and was more typical of their failure to truly create clear-cut chances.

 

Charlton too, could have found a winner. The 3-5-2 continued to work a treat for Chris Powell, after Wilson’s penalty win, Rhoys Wiggins almost turned provider on the opposite flank, as he charged to the by-line and sent a ball across goal that Johnnie Jackson really should have converted. Dale Stephens did test Amunia with a cracked drive from outside the box, but it was placed too close to the Spaniard.

 

The final whistle was met with frustration from Watford fans, but Charlton will undoubtedly be pleased with an away point against the League’s top scorers. Two fixtures ago Charlton were without a win, playing poorly and headed into two games against sides in last year’s top six. It looked bleak. Yet with four points gained and Chris Solly signed, Charlton fans and Chris Powell can start looking up the table again.

 

JH