English Premier League

Sheffield United 1 – 1 Watford

Watford moved off the bottom of the Premier League table with a battling draw at in-form Sheffield United.

The Hornets went ahead in the first half through Gerard Deulofeu’s breakaway goal, but Oliver Norwood’s penalty pegged them back before the break.

United’s Oliver McBurnie was thwarted early on by a fine save from Watford’s Ben Foster, who pulled off another excellent stop to deny John Fleck from point-blank range in the second half.

The result ends a run of three straight wins for the Blades, who drop into sixth place, while Watford moves up one place above Norwich City.

Watford has looked like a much more solid unit since manager Nigel Pearson took over on 7 December, and now have a win and two draws in four games under him.

Chris Wilder’s Blades drop below Tottenham, who beat Brighton in the day’s early kick-off, but they are still on an impressive run with just one defeat in their past 12 league outings.

The Blades’ rise into the upper reaches of the Premier League has been one of the stories of the season so far – and despite this draw, it shows no sign of ending.

Six of Wilder’s starting line-up against Watford have begun every one of United’s 19 league matches so far, giving them a solid look and feel – by contrast, Foster is the only ever-present for Watford.

But despite having the better of the opening phase of the match, United could not unlock Watford’s resilient defence and was then caught out for the opening goal.

Foster’s long clearance was nodded on by Nathaniel Chalobah into the path of Deulofeu, who then raced away before sliding his shot underneath Dean Henderson. It was the first goal conceded by United since Alexander Tettey’s opener for Norwich on 8 December.

Norwood’s emphatic penalty, following a foul by Will Hughes on George Baldock, signalled an improvement from the hosts, who were the dominant side after half-time.

Had Fleck’s first-time touch at close range gone inches either side of Foster, United would surely have gone ahead but it was not to be.

United’s next two outings are trips to Manchester City and Liverpool, which they can approach with confidence given that they have still yet to lose a Premier League away match this season. In both games, though, they will need to take what could be rare chances in front of goal.

Pearson’s appointment had galvanised Watford, who have gleaned five points from his three games in charge.

In the Premier League era, only Burnley, Swansea, Sunderland and West Brom have managed to stay up with 12 points or fewer after 18 matches – Watford’s total at kick-off. But on this evidence, the Hornets are going to be a much tougher proposition in this season’s second half than for much of the first.

Despite being pegged back for long spells – and owing much Foster for his excellent early save to thwart McBurnie – the visitors had the awareness to take their chance when it came.

Deulofeu had menaced the home defence prior to his goal, his third of the season, and continued to make things difficult but this was a solid team performance.

Pearson spoke after the match of the need for an attitude of “if you can’t win, don’t get beaten”, and his side certainly showed that determination.

And while they were helped enormously by Foster’s heroics, the return from injury of the talismanic Deeney in all five of Watford’s games in December also seems to have boosted the side.

Two consecutive home games for the Hornets now give Pearson and his team the chance to build upon this gritty performance.

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Source – BBC