Everton left-back Lucas Digne rescued a point against Watford with a sensational free kick in the last seconds of the game. The goal denied Watford a victory over their old manager Marco Silva, after two quickfire goals gave them the lead in a ferocious game at Goodison Park.
An exciting Monday night fixture saw former Watford striker Richarlison open the scoring early with a superb finish and his eighth goal of the season. There was debate surrounding the goal as Theo Walcott touched the ball in an offside position before Andre Gomes assisted his teammate. After the Toffees took the lead, a spirited Watford side worked their way back in the game despite trailing at half-time.
Watford pulled level in the 63rd minute after Roberto Pereyra’s strike came off the post only to hit Seamus Coleman’s leg and roll into the back of the net to concede a cruel own goal. Two minutes later Abdoulaye Doucoure powerfully headed home to see Watford take the lead. An action-packed ten minutes in the second half was rounded off when Everton were awarded a penalty. Ben Foster’s foot then denied Gyfli Sigurdsson’s spot-kick as the Icelandic playmaker missed his third penalty of the season.
Watford looked as if they had the job all but complete after seeing out five of the additional six minutes. Doucoure gave away a free kick on the edge of the box, and Digne then stepped up to earn a draw scoring his first goal for Everton.
Watford looked emotionally and physically slumped after their hard work was not rewarded and will feel hard done by. Everton will be looking to get back in form after picking up only two points in their last two games at Goodison Park.
Silva saved blushes against former team
Marco Silva will have had his eyes on three points coming into the game and Everton looked to be in the driver’s seat after taking an early lead. However, his side lost focus in the second half and put the Blues in a difficult position once again. The Toffees then had to claw their way back into the fixture, equalising with the last kick of the game. Whilst Everton were praised for the style of play and determination against Liverpool, this has been lacking against Newcastle and Watford.
Silva’s departure from Watford left a sour taste in the Watford fans mouths, as they and Everton are still in a dispute over the Merseyside team’s approach of the Portuguese manager. Watford fans let their feeling known in the crowd and would have loved to see their side take all three points but Everton did she resiliency.
They have had to come back from behind in both of those fixtures and whilst they struggled to find a winner against Newcastle, the problem seemed to be that they could not manage the game. After taking the lead, Everton did not look as if they would score again, only looking threatening again once they were trailing. Marco Silva will be grateful that he did not lose against his former side but will be frustrated with his side’s performance. Watford bullied their way back into the game with a gritty and determined performance and he will not expect his team to switch off in upcoming games.
Do we need VAR now?
After Newcastle’s loss to Wolves on Sunday, Rafael Benítez said VAR was needed after Ayoze Perez was caught by an elbow in the penalty area. There was also Charlie Austin’s rant after his goal was disallowed against Watford in a game they could have one. Now Javi Gracia has complaints after Theo Walcott’s involvement from an offside position in Everton’s opening goal. Premier League games can be won on the finest of margins and clubs are starting to see the benefits of having technology in the game.
VAR was used in the World Cup in Russia and is currently being used in Italy’s and Germany’s top divisions. It is also being used in the Champions League from next season and the Premier League have run trials. It will not be long until it is introduced to English football and everyone seems convinced that it will only help the game. When trialled in the league, decisions have been swift. This proof that it can work only makes the demand higher and although it may be needed now, clubs will have to wait until VAR gets the go-ahead which should be as early as the 2019/20 season.
Is Watford’s style under Gracia clicking?
After a poor start in which Watford looked as if they would struggle to keep up Everton’s fluid passing play, Gracia’s side dug in and dragged themselves into the game. A side spearheaded by the ever-physical Troy Deeney encapsulated the Hornet’s play away against tough opponents.
They were first and second to so many balls and after conceding always looked as if they could find a way back into the game. The defence made Richarlison’s game a physical battle after he scored, which appeared to edge him out of the game. This led to the introduction of Cenk Tosun and Dominic Calvert-Lewin to the equation in an attempt to give Watford’s defensive something difrerent to handle.
The way in which Watford unsettled the home team was a credit to their team spirit and organisation that Gracia has instilled within his team. Despite missing key players such as Will Hughes, the Hornets played superbly and will feel hard done by after slipping up in the last minute of the game.
A lack of confidence at Goodison?
One thing that has been apparent since the loss of Liverpool is that Everton are beginning to run out of ideas offensively. In the last five games that have scored four and conceded just as many. This has seen them draw three, lose one and pick up a 1-0 victory at Cardiff. Whilst they are a side with plenty of attacking options, the goals are appearing to dry up. Although Richarlison is Everton’s top scorer, there does not seem to be much coming from elsewhere.
Gylfi Sigurdsson is always a bright player capable of a goal but his penalty miss will have not helped his confidence. Bernard looks lively but is yet to make a significant impact and Theo Walcott looks badly out of form. He has been lacking an end product in recent weeks, and with the likes of Calvert-Lewin and Ademola Lookman waiting in the wings, it may be time for Marco Silva to shift things around.
A midtable clash full of excitement
Monday evening’s match was filled with all kinds of entertainment and was a great advertisement for Premier League football. Both sides showed great desire to win the game and it was a clash of two styles that made for an exciting fixture. Both sides currently sit close to each other in mid-table but produced a game of the highest order with Lucas Digne’s top corner free kick in the dying seconds putting the cherry on the top of what was an excellent game of football from a neutral perspective. Despite some periods of scrappy football, the game was played at a ferocious pace which both sides kept up for 90 minutes.
Man of the Match – Abdoulaye Doucoure
Watford worked extremely hard against Everton to unsettle them and had 43% of the ball. When Watford were on top a player involved in everything was Doucoure. His goal and involvement in offensive play made him Watford’s strongest player.
What’s next?
Everton travel to the Etihad to play a Manchester City side who will be looking to perform well after coming off their first loss this season. Watford host Cardiff who have shown strong home form this season and will look to transfer that momentum into their away fixtures.
