Crystal Palace move point closer to safety after draw at Watford
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ByEurosport
Updated 21/04/2018 at 16:57 GMT
Premier League, Vicarage Road - Watford 0 Crystal Palace 0
Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha in action with Watford's Craig Cathcart
Image credit: Reuters
Crystal Palace moved six points clear of the relegation zone but were left frustrated to claim only a draw at Watford.
Roy Hodgson’s side started the contest with a five-point cushion over 18th-placed Southampton and a win would have virtually secured their top-flight status.
But they had to settle for a share of the spoils, despite striking the woodwork twice in a second-half onslaught. The Eagles also had a strong case for a penalty waved away as Watford held on for the draw which all but secures their survival for another season.
The hosts started the first half brightly and went agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock after only four minutes when Stefano Okaka’s header cannoned off the woodwork. The Italian threatened once more when his venomous shot was deflected off Joel Ward, forcing Wayne Hennessey into a smart save.
Roy Hodgson’s side absorbed a lot of pressure in the first period, but the visitors had a credible claim for a spot-kick waved away just before the interval when Wilfried Zaha went tumbling inside the box after contact from Christian Kabasele.
After the restart, Zaha was involved in yet more drama when he appeared to be upended by Will Hughes inside the Watford box, but this time referee Chris Kavanagh controversially booked the winger for simulation.
There was yet more frustration for the visitors as Luka Milivojevic struck the crossbar with an excellent free-kick and James Tomkins hit the post with a header minutes later, as Watford held on for a draw.
The Hornets are now winless in six league games but remain 12th with 38 points, nine above the drop zone, while Palace leapfrog Huddersfield into 15th, and move a point closer to safety with just three games remaining.
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Crystal Palace's Andros Townsend applauds fans after the match
Image credit: Reuters
TALKING POINT
Does Wilfried Zaha’s reputation go before him? The Crystal Palace winger has been accused of going down too easily over the last few seasons and perhaps referees are now too reluctant to award him a penalty, even if it is the right decision. He certainly had a strong case for one penalty, if not two.
MAN OF THE MATCH
James Tomkins (Crystal Palace): Made a number of vital interventions to save his side, particularly during a tough spell in the first period, and was a whisker away from scoring the winner at the opposite end.
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Watford's Stefano Okaka in action with Crystal Palace's James Tomkins
Image credit: Reuters
PLAYER RATINGS
Watford: Karnezis 6, Mariappa 7, Cathcart 6, Kabasele 7, Holebas 6, Capoue 6, Doucoure 6, Hughes 7, Pereyra 7, Okaka 7, Deeney 6. Subs: Kiko 5, Richarlison 5, Gray 5.
Crystal Palace: Hennessey 7, Ward 6, Tomkins 8, Sakho 7, Van Aanholt 7, McArthur 7, Milivojevic 7, Cabaye 6, Loftus-Cheek 6, Townsend 6, Zaha 7. Sub: Benteke 5.
KEY MOMENTS
4’ - WOODWORK! Deeney chips an inch-perfect cross to Okaka who glances a header at goal... and strikes the crossbar! Hennessey was rooted to the spot.
19’ - SAVE! Deeney controls the ball (with his arm, perhaps), before teeing up Okaka for a shot. It takes a wild deflection off Ward which forces Hennessey into a clever stop to prevent an own goal.
43’ - PENALTY APPEAL! Zaha tumbles over inside the box under pressure from Kabasele. Doucoure is furious! He runs 15 or 20 yards to confront Zaha, who he clearly feels dived. After a little thinking time Chris Kavanagh says no foul.
62’ - CROSSBAR! Milivojevic tries his luck from a really tight angle, bending his free-kick towards the top corner... but it cannons off the woodwork! Hennessey was beaten.
63' - PENALTY SHOUT! Zaha goes to ground inside the box after contact from Hughes... but this time Chris Kavanagh books Zaha for an alleged dive! It's a huge decision from the referee, but I'm not sure if it's the right one.
69’ - POST! Another Palace corner... and Tomkins' header strikes the post! Deeney then makes a vital interception to deny Sakho a simple tap in. How didn't that go in?
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Troy Deeney reacts as he is confronted by Crystal Palace's Luka Milivojevic as Patrick van Aanholt lies injured
Image credit: Reuters
KEY STATS
- Crystal Palace have lost only one of their last nine matches against Watford in all competitions (W5, D3).
- The Eagles are unbeaten in their last seven games at Vicarage Road, and have lost just once in the past 13 league visits.
- Watford have claimed only one point from the last 18 on offer, conceding 15 goals in the process.
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