Blackburn 1 - 0 Watford Match Report
For the second time in a week, Watford lost in the last minute after Jordan Rhodes scored to harshley send the Hornets back to Vicarage Road with nothing. Both sides did not deserve to win the match with chances few and far between. The match looked destined for 0-0 and would have been only Watford's second draw and thrid clean sheet of the season. Gianfranco Zola made four changes to the team that lost 2-1 against Cardiff. Daniel Pudil and Nathaniel Chalobah were suspended for the game so in came Jean Alain - Fanchone to make his deubt and first start and Connor Smith to make his first ever start for the club. There was also two changes up front with Alex Geijo and Matej Vydra dropping to the bench meaning that Troy Deeney and Fernando Forestieri taking their places. Almen Abdi was not in the sqaud at all after he picked up a knock in training on Friday morning. The first half was low tempo with neither side commited when going forward. Tommie Hoban did particulary well in the 16th Minute when he headed behind a cross when Grant Hanley was lurking behind him and looked destined to score and then blocking from Morten Gamst Perderson's drive. Then in the 35th Minute Colin Kazim Richards fired wide. Debutant Jean Alain - Fanchone went close for Watford when his shot went just wide.
Half Time 0-0
The second half was slightly better than the first. Watford had the best chance of the second half in the 65th minute with Debutant Jean Alain - Fanchone went close yet again when he ran into the box. His shot hit the side netting. Then in the 80th Minute Blackburn were awarded a penalty by ref Carl Boyseon when a Blackburn players shot hit Tommie Hoban's hand. Colin Kazim Richards took the ball away from top scorer Jordan Rhodes which was a bad move. Kazim Ricahrds slipped as he hit the ball meaning that it hit the crossbar and came back down into Manuel Almunia's hands. Substitue Cristian Battochio then had a great chance for Watford when he was 3 on 3. On the coutner attack he unleashed Troy Deeney whose shot was blocked. This would be Watford's last chance as in the 92 nd Minute £ 8 million pound man Jordan Rhodes scored the winner as the ball bobbled around the Hornets area as they tried to clear and luckily for Blackburn the ball somehow found its way to Rhodes who cut inside and fired easily past Almunia in the horents goal.
A harsh result for Watford but hopefully they will gain the three points at home against second placed Leicester next week.
Line Ups
Blackburn
Robinson, Orr, Dann Givet (Olsson 58), Hanley, Etuhu, Lowe ( Murphy 90) Pedersen (Gomes 81), Rochina, Kazim Richards, Rhodes.
Subs Not Used - Kean Formica, R Hanley, Rosado
Yellow Cards - Dann, Givet, Rochina,
Watford
Almunia, Doyley, Hall, Hoban, Cassetti, Yeates (Battochio 83), Smith, Fanchone (Ekstrand 77), Deeney, Forestieri (Geijo 88)
Subs Not Used - Bond, Murray, Vydra, Anya.
Yellow Cards - Cassetti.
Attendance - 13,233 (584 Watford Fans)
Referee - Carl Boyeson