Share

Watford thank Success for Bournemouth draw

Watford - Nigerian forward Isaac Success rose from the bench to head in a second-half equaliser as Watford drew 2-2 at home to Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday.

Eddie Howe, linked with the vacant England job this week, twice saw his Bournemouth side go ahead through Callum Wilson and Joshua King.

But Troy Deeney scored his 99th Watford goal to cancel out Wilson's opener and Success headed in a second equaliser in the 65th minute to spare manager Walter Mazzarri from defeat on his 55th birthday.

Bournemouth, who have won just once in 16 league visits to Vicarage Road, climbed to 12th, level on points with 11th-place Watford.

Bournemouth had impressed in a 1-0 win over Everton last weekend and Howe named an unchanged team, but it was Watford who bossed the early exchanges.

Mazzarri's men enjoyed a near monopoly on possession and saw Odion Ighalo drag a shot wide from strike partner Deeney's flick.

But after home goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes had tipped an in-swinging free-kick from Junior Stanislas over the bar at the other end, the visitors went in front in the 31st minute.

Stanislas sent a cross into the box and Wilson got ahead of his man at the near post to meet the ball with a header that squirmed beneath Gomes.

Watford emerged for the second half with the bit between their teeth and after Deeney had seen an improvised 'scorpion kick' volley saved by Artur Boruc, the hosts levelled.

Nordin Amrabat's trickery took him to the byline on the right and from his cut-back, Deeney equalised.

Bournemouth almost went ahead again moments later when Jack Wilshere struck the post with a low, curling effort after a trademark jinking run.

Just before the hour, Boruc had to display razor-sharp reflexes to repel a header from Deeney.

Bournemouth retook the lead in the 62nd minute, King turning Valon Behrami inside-out and netting via a deflection off Younes Kaboul within seconds of coming on for Jordon Ibe.

But Mazzarri had a super sub of his own up his sleeve and three minutes later Success, 20, equalised with a fine header that gave him his first Watford goal since signing from Granada.

The visitors came closest to snatching victory amid frantic exchanges in the latter stages, twice rattling the woodwork.

On-loan Arsenal midfielder Wilshere squandered an apparent tap-in by sending the ball against the post, while Stanislas saw a free-kick come back off the bar.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
33% - 1818 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1781 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1084 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 461 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 187 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 254 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE