Watford 2 - 1 Sheffield Wednesday Match Report.
Watford came back from 1-0 down to beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 during a enthralling game at Vicarage Road last night in the Npower Championship. Michail Antonio had put Wednesday 1-0 up at half time but a brace from Substitute Fernando Forestieri sealed the three points for the Hornets with his 4th and 5th goals of the season his first since joining the Hornets on a permanent deal.. Another plus for the hornets was that Crystal Palace won 4-2 against Hull meaning that the Hornets moved up to second in the table, now only 5 points behind Cardiff who could only draw against Derby County. Gianfranco Zola made two changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Wolves on Friday night. Nathaniel Chalobah and Lloyd Doyley were both rested so Jonathan Hogg and Daniel Pudil came into the side. As Doyley was on the bench, Troy Deeney took the Captains armband. Dave Jones made one change to his Sheffield Wednesday side ; Kieran Lee replacing Leroy Lita. Former Hornet Martin Taylor was on the bench for Wednesday. The Hornets were the brighter during the earlier part of the match with Captain Troy Deeney curling an efffort just wide of the Wednesday goal. But Wednesday had the best chance soon after that when Sunderland Loanee Connor Wickham saw a Volley tipped over from Jonathan Bond. In the 17th minute, the Hornets had a glorious opporunity to take the way. Ikechi Anya crossed the ball into the unmarked Vydra who was 6 yards out but he unusually drove wide when the goal was gaping. Vydras would have been kicking himself as it was a sitter really. But two minutes later and Sheffield Wednesday took the Lead. Poor play from the Hornets saw Marco Cassetti pass the ball back to Jonathan Bond who was immediately put under pressure by two Wednesday Players. Bond went to touch the ball but slipped and Antonio took the ball and rolled the ball into the net. This unsettled the host and Wednesday were on top for the next 10 minutes. Miguel Llera saw a free kick saved by Jonathan Bond who then made another save from Helan who looked set to head the ball home. Then Wednesday thought they had a second when Giles Coke's header apparently went over the line but referee Darren Sheldrake played on. Danny Pugh and Connor Wickham both saw efforts saved by the Wales keeper. The Hornets got back into the match just before half time. Almen Abdi's shot was deflected behind. From the resultant corner, the ball fell to Joel Ekstrand who blasted narrowly over.
Half Time - 0-1
Gianfranco Zola made two changes at Half Time. Jonathan Hogg was replaced by Nathaniel Chalobah and Daniel Pudil was replaced by Fernando Forestieri. The changes saw the hornets deploy a 4-3-3 formation. 10 minutes into the second half and Watford were level. An Almen Abdi corner was flicked on by Marco Cassetti. The ball then fell to Fernando Forestieri who smashed the ball into the roof of the net to make it 1-1. This was his fourth goal of the season and his first since signing permanently in January. This also made amends for the two chances he missed on Friday night. Forestieri had a big impact in the second half and seemed determined to win the game himself. Midway through the second half and the Hornets took the lead. Troy Deeney fizzed in a cross by the rous stand. The ball fell to the feet of Forestieri who was just outside the box. He then took a touch before planting the ball into the bottom corner to send the Vicarage Road crowd
Full Time - 2-1
Team Lineups
Watford - Bond (GK), Ekstrand, Nosworthy, Cassetti, Pudil (Forestieri H/T), Hogg (Chalobah H/T), Abdi, Battochio, Anya (Doyley 71), Deeney (C), Vydra.
Subs Not Used - Bonham (GK), Yeates, Murray, Geijo.
Goals - Forestieri (53+63)
Bookings - Forestieri, Vydra.
Sheffield Wednesday - Kirkland (GK), Buxton, Llera, Gardner (C), Helan, Anotonio, Coke (Semedo 40), Prutton (Lita 76), Pugh (Johnson 66), Lee, Wickham,
Subs Not Used - Bywater (GK), Taylor, Madine, McCabe.
Goals - Antonio (19).
Booked - Pugh, Lee, Prutton, Lita.
Possesion - Watford 58% Sheffield Wednesday 42%.
Attendance - 12, 727 (1010 Sheffield Wednesday Fans)
Referee - Darren Sheldrake.