Watford 2-1 Middlesbrough: Five talking points from victory

After a goalless first half in which the Hornets’ only real attacking threat was offered on the counter, they fell behind early in the second half when George Edmundsson capitalised on a Ken Sema mistake defending a free-kick.

The home side continued to struggle to make attacking inroads but Tom Cleverley’s substitutions were to work a treat as Edo Kayembe equalised before fellow replacement Kwadwo Baah volleyed home his first league goal for the club three minutes from the end of normal time.

Here are five talking points we’ve selected from the Hornets’ win. Tell us what you think by using the comments facility on this page.

Positive changes

Any manager will hope the players he introduces from the substitutes’ bench will have a positive effect on the game – Cleverley will be delighted how his worked out.

Kayembe equalised within six minutes of his introduction, having started the business end of the move with the pass that released Ryan Andrews into space on the right.

Fellow substitute Baah will likely feel he should have opened his league account for the club before today, but his first Championship goal was to prove a match-winning one as he volleyed home a Mattie Pollock flick from an Andrews throw.

How impressed were you with Cleverley’s substitutions?

Defensively better

While Watford offered relatively little going forward until the latter stages of the game, their defensive organisation limited Middlesbrough’s opportunities despite the visitors having more of the possession and territory.

Boro’s goal came as a result of poor decision making – more of that below – and an individual mistake but, that apart, Jonathan Bond’s goal was largely kept well protected, although the keeper have to impress when keeping out an Emmanuel Latte Lath shot before doing even better to repel Ben Doak’s follow-up.

What did you make of Watford’s defensive display?

A difficult afternoon

Daniel Jebbison was given the nod over Vakoun Bayo to start up front but endured a difficult afternoon.

The young striker appeared almost to be trying to hard as he misplaced passes and headers and his game was summed up early in the second half when he didn’t play Moussa Sissoko into space in the right, instead checking back inside and eventually colliding with teammate Tom Ince.

Jebbison’s game ended just after the hour when he was replaced by Baah.

What was your view of Jebbison’s performance?

Decision making

Sema will not want to look back on his mistake that led to Middlesbrough taking the lead when he let Finn Azaz’s free-kick go through his legs at the near post, but the set piece would not have materialised had Watford’s decision making been better.

Ince’s options were limited as he was being closed down near to his own corner flag, but instead of opting for the safety first option of touch he attempted a backheel infield which led to Tom Dele-Bashiru conceding the free-kick.

In contrast, the Hornets equalised as a result of Kayembe making the correct decision to release Andrews on the right.

How do you feel the Hornets’ decision making was during the game?

Mind the gap

Watford now have a two-week break before their next game – and it’s a rather important one.

Form often goes out of the window in local derbies and Watford’s results on the road have not been good since the opening day of the season, but they should still look forward to the trip to Luton Town with confidence.

Watford are sixth in the table and have 16 points, Luton are 21st and have just eight.

Watford will go into the game off the back of a win, Luton are heading back down the M1 tonight following a defeat at Sheffield United.

How optimistic are you about the Hornets’ prospects at Kenilworth Road?

Remember, you can tell us what you think by using the comments facility on this page.