As Watford drew 2-2 at home to Bournemouth in the Premier League, we take a look at the five things we learned from the game.
Bournemouth and Watford played out a 2-2 draw at Vicarage Road in the Premier League, but it will be Eddie Howe’s side that feel they should have left with all three points, having twice let the Hornets get back into the game.
Howe’s side led twice in the game, first through Callum Wilson and then through Josh King, but Watford showed their determination to get something from the game, pegging them back through a Troy Deeney goal, and then through Isaac Success’s first goal on 65 minutes.
Both Wilson and Deeney will have done themselves no harm with Gareth Southgate set to name his England squad, and while it was an opportunity for Jack Wilshere to impress the interim manager, he will have done himself no favours in looking to claim a position within that squad, particularly after a glaring miss in the second half.
With both sides leaving Vicarage Road with a share of the points, we take a look at the five things we learned from the game.
1. Wilson and Deeney shine in what may be their England audition
With Southgate set to name his England squad, both Deeney and Wilson will have done themselves no harm with their performances for Watford and Bournemouth respectively.
Both players stood out in terms of goals, with Deeney cancelling out Wilson’s header, and in their performances, with Wilson looking like he has come back from his long term injury stronger.
But while Southgate’s first squad may have come slightly too early for both players, there remains the possibility that these are two players he may well consider in taking England forward during his spell as interim manager.
2. Wilshere disappointed
Against Watford, Wilshere will have done himself no favours as he looks to force his way back into the England squad, having missed out on Sam Allardyce’s one and only game in charge of the national side.
The on-loan Arsenal midfielder hit the post twice during the game, but it is his second effort that may haunt him, as with the goal at his mercy he failed to convert the chance from five yards out.
Wilshere joined Howe’s side in the transfer window and will undoubtedly be looking to get back on track but having been substituted on 74 minutes, he has now failed to complete a game for over two years.
3. Bournemouth were impressive in the first half
Against Watford, The Cherries were impressive during the first half and will feel they should not have allowed the home side back into the game, having taken the lead through Wilson.
In the opening 45 minutes Bournemouth were the more dominant team, and got their rewards when Wilson headed in Junior Stanislas’s cross, although some fault for the goal can be attributed to Heurelho Gomes’s clumsy handling.
But in the difficult second season that Bournemouth may experience, Howe will need his side to stamp out the mistakes in the second half that allowed Watford to leave Vicarage Road with a point.
4. Howe will be frustrated at not winning, despite being impressive in the attack
While this was a thoroughly entertaining game, the Bournemouth manager will be frustrated at how his side not only didn’t claim all three points, but also how Watford were allowed back into the game.
Bournemouth had 11 shots in total and hit the woodwork three times, and if Howe’s side are to avoid a relegation battle, he will be looking for his side to be more clinical in front of goal.
Speaking after the game BBC Sport reported that Howe said: “We are disappointed, especially taking the lead twice you think it should be enough. It was end to end and very even but we had the best chances in the game.
“On another day we take one or two of the missed chances and win the game. We scored two goals away from home and hit the woodwork three times, it has to be a positive thing.”
5. Watford dealt with Bournemouth’s counter-attacking football, but were lucky to escape with a draw
There were times throughout the game when the home side did manage to deal with Bournemouth’s counter-attacking football, particularly in the first half.
While Watford during the game showed enough determination to gain a draw, it was more down to Bournemouth not taking their chances, than Watford’s ability to take the game by the scruff of the neck.
Mazzarri’s side have now conceded in their last nine Premier League home games at it will be a great cause for concern for the Watford manager, something that was evident throughout the match.
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