GW 32: Watford 3-2 Blackburn Rovers
Misery for Rovers, Delight for the Hornets
Rohan Shukla
Date Published: 25th February
Maintaining their hopes for automatic promotion, Watford inflicted further damage to Blackburn’s treacherous run which was extended to five successive defeats as they played out an entertaining 3-2 at Ewood Park.
Image credit: Rex Features.
Inserting pressure from the onset, Joao Pedro’s cleverly timed flick set the Hornets on their way in the 10th Minute. Further misery was inflicted when the inform Ismaila Sarr tapped in from close range to double Watford’s advantage and give the impression that it was going to be another long night for Rovers.
Almost a dog fight in the middle of the park for the majority of the remaining first half, the game came to life just before half time when impressive Liverpool loanee Harvey Elliott pulled one back for Blackburn as he fired a rocket into the roof of the net after finding the acutest of angles.
At 2-1, Blackburn started the second half with new vigour and momentum, pushing forward for the equaliser but in the process left themselves vulnerable at the back. Hence, it was only a matter of time before the man who is fast becoming a very popular figure at Vicarage, Ken Sema, precisely placed his low shot into the bottom corner.
At 3-1 the game was almost done and dusted but with Ben Brereton getting one back through a blistering header from the corner, the last ten minutes of the game set up a tense finish with Blackburn once again pushing hard for the equaliser.
With the game finishing 3-2, Blackburn Rovers find themselves in a slightly worrying position in 15th position. Having lost five successive games for the first time since 2012, the Rovers and their fans might well be looking over their shoulders as the battle for relegation intensifies.
As for Watford, victory lifts them to a consolidated third place with Swansea having two games in hand but ties them up with 2nd place Brentford. In the race for automatic promotions, it is fast becoming a three-horse race for the final automatic position behind Norwich.
The Hornets manager Xisco Munoz was all praises for star man Joao Pedro, whose creativity and flair clearly separated both the squads before half-time. He was also cautious about the need to act more maturely and kill off games as he believed that would help Watford stand out from the pack going ahead.
Similarly, under pressure Blackburn Rovers manager Tony Mowbray believed his side put in their best efforts in the game and believed their luck would surely change going ahead. He was also quick to mention the influence of star player Harvey Elliott, who has been highly instrumental since his loan move from Liverpool.
Looking over to the weekend, Rovers face fellow relegation rivals Coventry City, a game they would surely like to win in order to ease up some pressure while Watford travel to the Vitality to face the out of form Bournemouth, who will be hoping to gather some sort of form after their free fall out of the top six. An interesting round of fixtures coming up across the weekend in the Championship.