Watford 1-1 Leicester City – Two fantastic late goals from Ben Chillwell and Craig Dawson meant it was a point a piece at Vicarage Road as a big game at both ends of the table ends all square.
First half:
The game started rather cagily from both teams who seemed to be feeling their way back in to Premier League football with the first big chance of the game falling to the hosts when Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi was caught in possession by Watford skipper Troy Deeney who poked the ball through to Abdoulaye Doucoure who saw his weak shot comfortably saved by Foxes goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel to keep the game goalless.
The first half overall was a game that chances came few and far between and both sides would have been rather satisfied with the game being goalless in a big game for both sides.
Second half:
Hosts Watford began the second half by far the brighter out of the two teams with the first big opportunity coming for Ismaila Sarr who was put through by Etienne Capoue,however, the Senegalese wingers shot was saved by Kasper Schmeichel who proved to be the Foxes hero once again.
Watford continued to apply the pressure when Troy Deeney’s header went just wide of the post with Watford pushing for a vital win to move them away from relegation danger.
Leicester City started to take over from this point on for the remainder of the game with the Foxes first big opportunity coming through defender Caglar Soyuncu got his header of a free set piece put unfortunately headed it wide of the post.
Leicester City then continued to apply the pressure on the Watford goal when Marc Albrighton’s thunderous effort hit the post which then lead to a James Maddison low shot that was very well saved by Ben Foster to keep the game goalless for the time being with the Foxes getting closer to an opener.
The Foxes finally made the breakthrough in the 90th minute when substitute Demarai Gray picked out Ben Chilwell who struck an absolute beauty which went in off the post, a goal so good that goalkeeper Ben Foster could only stand and watch the ball fly past him for what surely looked like a Leicester City winner.
Watford knew that they only had one last chance to get anything from this game and fortunately for the Hornets it was a chance that was taken from an unlikely source in Craig Dawson who scored his first Premier League goal for the club with a fantastic overhead kick which Kasper Schmeichel couldn’t keep out as the Hornets grabbed a crucial point in the relegation battle.
Full time
Man of the match:
Craig Dawson – Not only did the Watford defender register his first goal for the Hornets; the 30 year old also had a very solid game defensively by admirably coping with the threat of Jamie Vardy all game and making some vital last ditch interceptions.
Fascinating facts:
This was Craig Dawson’s first Premier League goal since February 2018 when he scored for West Brom against Huddersfield Town.
This is Ben Chilwell is enjoying his highest ever goal scoring season with the left back bagging 3 goals this campaign.
Leicester City haven’t won an away Premier League game since New Year’s Day when they won at Newcastle United 0-3.
Leicester City now haven’t won at Vicarage Road since March 2016, losing 3 and drawing 1.
Watford have never kept a Premier League clean sheet against Leicester City in 12 attempts.
Talking points:
Intriguing battle between Sarr and Chilwell – There were some interesting battles all over the pitch between the two sides but none more interesting than Senegalese winger Ismaila Sarr and England left back Ben Chilwell who certainly had a good contest against one another.
Watford will be the more disappointed of the two sides on the day – Despite a last gasp equaliser from the Hornets it was the side near the relegation zone who created the better chances on the day especially for the first hour which might well leave the Hornets frustrated they did not take all 3 points.
Demarai Gray the game changer – Leicester City’s Demarai Gray can certainly be a frustrating player at times with only 12 goals in 160 games in his Foxes career but there was no doubt the 23 year old changed the game when he came on for Leicester City and the Foxes looked more dangerous with him on the field.
Jamie Vardy dip in form since Christmas a concern –Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy started the season fantastically scoring 18 goals before Christmas, however, the English striker has only managed 2 goals in 9 Premier League appearances since, both of which came in the same match at home to Aston Villa, what has happened to the strikers form?
Two fantastic goals to end the game as Defenders steal the show – With the game having no goals until the 90th minute it was fair to say the goals that eventually came were well worth the wait with Ben Chilwell’s being a fantastic strike and a Craig Dawson’s overhead kick giving the fans who watched the game at home a late treat.
Sam’s match reports 