Watford’s Troy Deeney lauds Wolves star Raul Jimenez; slams celebration

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Watford and Wolverhampton Wanderers played out an FA Cup classic in the semi-final on Sunday.

Troy Deeney has told beIN SPORTS that he rates Wolves striker Raul Jimenez extremely highly, but admitted that he did not like his celebration in the FA Cup semi-final as the Watford star mocked the Mexican following the game.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side played their part in one of the greatest semi-finals in recent memory as they took a 2-0 lead against the Hornets at Wembley, with Matt Doherty breaking the deadlock before Jimenez appeared to book their ticket to the final.

The striker doubled the lead and proceeded to run behind the goal and produce a mask Birmingham Live reports was given to him by WWE superstar Sin Cara.

But Javi Gracia’s men produced an incredible turnaround to level the game up before full-time. Gerard Deulofeu scored an outrageous goal before Deeney was fouled inside the box and smashed home the equaliser in stoppage-time.

And after Deulofeu completed the comeback in the first-half of extra-time, Deeney admitted that he was pleased that he did not see Jimenez’s celebration at the time before going on to laud the forward.

“I’m glad he put that mask on, now he can wear it out now he’s a loser. So, yeah, enjoy the mask but we got the victory,” he told beIN SPORTS. “Don’t get me wrong he’s a top, top player.

“I watch him and I think he’s the nuts, he’s very good, plays the No.9 position on his own really well. I didn’t see the mask thing, so I’m quite happy I only saw it now because I probably would’ve lost my head. I think you’ve got to wear the mask and do all that stuff when you know you’re going to win the game.”

In fairness to Jimenez, what he did was hardly the most offensive celebration you will see. He was in front of his own fans and had just scored what looked to be the clinching goal in a cup semi-final days after his permanent move to Molineux was announced.

Of course, the celebration now looks slightly foolish because Watford fought back. But with Deeney not seeing the striker produce the mask, it is difficult to believe that it did anything to motivate the Hornets.