Watford and Crystal Palace battle out entertaining goalless draw
Javi Gracia praises Watford’s attitude following Crystal Palace draw
GALLERY: A selection of images from Watford’s draw with Crystal Palace
Watford vs Crystal Palace ratings: Stefano Okaka and Christian Kabasele on song
Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha hits back after Watford diving controversy
Christian Kabasele: Watford defender hopeful Javi Gracia will remain at club
Wilfried Zaha: Watford’s Christian Kabasele defends Crystal Palace man after diving accusations
Wilfried Zaha saw two penalty claims turned down as Watford and Crystal Palace edged towards Premier League safety after playing out an eventful 0-0 on Saturday.
Zaha was cautioned by referee Chris Kavanagh after going down inside the Watford penalty area following a challenge by Adrian Mariappa.
Last season, Watford mascot Harry the Hornet mocked Zaha by diving in front of him at the end of a league match at Vicarage Road.
Watford’s traditional poor springtime form meant they had gone five matches without a victory, conceding 15 goals in the process, so the decision to pair the Italy international Stefano Okaka in attack with Troy Deeney was a brave one with the former chairman Elton John, watching on from the stands. Yet it almost paid off as early as the fourth minute when Deeney found space on the right and his cross was headed against the crossbar by Okaka.
Key in the first half exchanges and throughout was the redoubtable partnership of the newly returned Christian Kabasele and the slightly less newly returned but much missed Craig Cathcart.
It had been a thoroughly entertaining half of football. Watford were a completely different team from last week, playing positively and battling for everything. We had managed 11 shots on goal, but without really testing Hennessey. The Watford fans were also putting in a good performance, loud and proud in support of their team, which was essential as Palace usually bring a very noisy crowd with them.
Whilst we go another game without a win, we did at least see a bit of fight and spirit and a much better performance than recent weeks. With safety all but confirmed that’s all we ask for during the run-in and we got that during this game.
BSAD report: One final first team outing for Nigel Gibbs – applauded on arrival by everyone in the ground, including the Gillingham players – was worth the price of admission alone, even if he was required to spend ten minutes looking awkwardly out of place at left back. A broad grin on hitting a pass so firmly that even Anthony McNamee couldn’t catch up with it betrayed his enjoyment of the occasion, and it was an enjoyment widely shared. Nigel Gibbs has been a great player for Watford Football Club for twenty years. There need be no further explanation.
