

Craig Pawson
Attendance:
20,480

Match Report: Watford 0-1 Arsenal
Foster: “We Can Take A Lot Of Heart”
Gracia: “I Don’t Understand That Decision”
Cathcart: “Our Reaction Showed What Sort Of Team We Are”
Gracia: “With 10 Players We Dominated The Game”
Gallery: Watford v Arsenal

Watford lose to Arsenal after Troy Deeney red card
Watford beaten at home by Arsenal as Troy Deeney is sent off
Javi Gracia said Watford captain Troy Deeney owes him no explanation after Arsenal red card
Watford players performances rated from Arsenal defeat
A selection of images as 10-man Watford push Arsenal all the way
Javi Gracia is not blaming Watford’s players for their mistakes against Arsenal




Watford went on to strike the woodwork twice, and Arsenal were reliant on an excellent performance from goalkeeper Bernd Leno. The German turned Craig Cathcart’s effort on to a post and saved acrobatically from Etienne Capoue’s free-kick before half-time. After the break it was much of the same, with Adam Masina smashing the bar from range. Arsenal were also in the debt of Ainsley Maitland-Niles, on as a substitute, who did brilliantly to block Andre Gray’s effort when an equaliser appeared certain.


When a match falls on 15th April, you can’t help but think of the events at Hillsborough 30 years ago. On that day, I was standing on the terrace at the County Ground, Swindon. Don was propped up on a crush barrier next to me and a police officer told us that a wall had fallen down at the cup semi-final between Liverpool and Forest. On the coach on the way home we listened to the horror unfolding on the radio. I still find it hard to believe that 96 fans just like me went to a game that day and didn’t come home. What is even harder to take is that those lives were used for political grandstanding and their families have had to fight for justice for so long. As Bill Kenwright said, “They picked on the wrong mums.” I have always thought that what happened to them could have happened to any of us, so we all stand together in the fight for justice.

The first nine minutes was great. The next two were interesting.


