Watford 1 West Brom 1: match report

05 April 2010 17:19
Chris Brunt stole a goal five minutes into added time but it was not enough to confirm promotion for West Brom Albion at a cold and blustery Vicarage Road.[LNB]Danny Graham had scored a dramatic goal for Watford in the 85th minute which looked sufficient to earn the home side a rare win but Brunt's effort took Albion a point closer to the Premier League.[LNB]Football Fixtures 2009/2010: ChampionshipReduced in numbers following the sending-off of Jon Harley, and having lost Manchester United loanee Tom Cleverley with a serious leg injury, Watford deserved a win.[LNB]It was a tense affair from the start with Watford fighting to remain in the Championship and Albion knowing that, by this evening they could be back in the Premier League.[LNB]For the latter to happen, Albion needed to win and hope Cardiff take at least a point off Nottingham Forest at the City Ground later on. But the draw means they must try again next Saturday at Doncaster.[LNB]Watford were already missing Henri Lansbury, on loan from Arsenal and banned for reaching 10 yellow cards.[LNB]And they also lost Cleverley, on loan from Manchester United, when he was stretchered off with a serious leg injury.[LNB]And to make matters worse, Jon Harley was sent off 10 minutes from the end for a second bookable offence.[LNB]Watford, though, threatened first when captain John Eustace fed Adrian Mariappa but the defender struck his shot straight at Albion goalkeeper Scott Carson. But with only 10 minutes played Watford were forced into a change when the Lloyd Doyley had to replaced by Jay DeMerit.[LNB]Watford continued to threaten and when they won a free-kick 10 yards outside the Albion area Cleverley lobbed the effort narrowly over the cross bar. Albion rarely troubled Watford's defence in the first-half, the biggest threat coming from a Chris Brunt free-kick which was blocked.[LNB]Before half time a tussle turned into a confrontation when Eustace pulled Albion's Graham Dorrans to the ground. Referee Steve Tanner booked the pair Dorrans responded with a hand around Eustace's throat then added Roman Bednar for his involvement as a 12-man scuffle followed.[LNB]In the opening exchanges of the second half, Mariappa again tested Carson from distance but the goalkeeper was able to hold the effort with ease. Watford received another blow midway through the second half when Cleverley left on a stretcher, his right leg in a brace and needing oxygen.[LNB]And before the end luckless Watford were reduced to 10 men when Harley, booked for a high challenge in the first half, was dismissed for a foul on James Morrison.[LNB]Watford got what they deserved five minutes from the end when Don Cowie offered Danny Graham the chance to volley a magnificent effort beyond Scott Carson. But in the 95th minute Andwele Slory's headed pass set up Brunt for a dramatic equaliser. [LNB]

Source: Telegraph