Struggling Watford remain without a Premier League win this season after being held to a forgettable goalless draw by Sheffield United, who extended their unbeaten away run at Vicarage Road.
Neither side was able to grab the game by the scruff of the neck in a first half low on quality, although Andre Gray should have given the hosts an early lead when he somehow lifted Roberto Pereyra’s low cross over the bar with the goal gaping.
Craig Cathcart almost diverted Chris Basham’s curling delivery into his own net soon afterwards, but Ben Foster spared his captain’s blushes with a magnificent fingertip save.
Watford improved marginally in the second half and Danny Welbeck should have broken the deadlock after latching on to Gray’s flick-on, only for Dean Henderson to thwart the former Arsenal man with a smart stop.
Henderson was forced into action again in stoppage time, getting down low to his right to stop Craig Dawson’s header.
The Hornets move on to three points but remain bottom of the table, while Chris Wilder’s side climb to 12th place after stretching their unbeaten away run to four matches.
Hornets made to rue profligacy
Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores said during the week he wants to “improve and define” Watford’s style of play, but Hornets fans would have settled for any kind of victory against a Blades side who have picked up more points on their travels this season than at Bramall Lane.
The Vicarage Road club have now gone 12 matches without a victory in the league – their worst run since their relegation season in 1999-2000.
They may have registered their first Premier League clean sheet of the campaign against Wilder’s team, but they failed to make the most of three golden opportunities to earn themselves a precious victory, the first of which fell to Gray inside the opening 10 minutes.
Tom Cleverley’s pass down the right-hand side caught the Blades’ defence asleep, allowing Pereyra to run on to the loose ball unchallenged.
The Argentine picked out Gray on the edge of the six-yard area, but the striker could only scoop the ball over the crossbar.
Gray’s miss was the hosts’ only clear-cut opportunity of the first half as United enjoyed the lion’s share of possession without creating any major chances of their own.
Watford started the second half brightly, however, and should have broken the deadlock when Welbeck was played through following a swift counter-attack, but the former England international was denied by Henderson’s right leg.
The impressive Henderson then produced a fine one-handed save to deny Dawson late on as the Blades held on for a hard-earned point.
Henderson makes amends for Liverpool blunder
Having been denied a point in cruel circumstances against league leaders Liverpool last weekend when Henderson let Georginio Wijnaldum’s tame shot into the net, the trip to Vicarage Road presented an altogether different challenge for Wilder and his players.
They struggled to create meaningful opportunities despite enjoying more than 60% possession, but the point extends their unbeaten start away from home to four games – a feat they last achieved in the top flight in 1972.
Their best chance of the encounter came via Watford skipper Cathcart, who had his goalkeeper to thank for preventing his attempted clearance from nestling in the far corner in the first half.
Callum Robinson shot straight at Foster from the edge of the box in the second half, while Enda Stevens and John Lundstram both fired over the bar from promising positions.
But the afternoon belonged to Henderson, who delivered the perfect response to his costly mistake against Jurgen Klopp’s side a week ago when Wilder said he “needs to do better”.
The Blades goalkeeper – on loan from Manchester United – did brilliantly to deny Welbeck early in the second half, while Dawson’s low header looked destined for the back of the net until the 22-year-old palmed the ball to safety with a strong right hand.
“He’s a really good keeper and he’s reacted the right way,” said Wilder. “He was always going to play and he was pivotal to the clean sheets we had last year.
“It’s a tough old changing room but he’s come through it. There’s no hiding place at international level or the likes of Manchester United, so that’s what he’s got to get used to.”
Man of the match – Dean Henderson (Sheffield United)
In other news – This is what happens when Lulu Menziwa decides to bless your Saturday
This is what happens when Lulu Menziwa decides to bless your Saturday. Madam B Clothing owner, and businesswoman, Lulu has brought the heat this Spring. She is the hot Durban teacher who made headlines because of her body structure and that has made her a popular figure in Mzansi.
The lady is known for setting the records straight when it comes to fashion and with this Spring which has just begun, she has already set the temperatures high. continue reading
Source: BBC
