DAVID UNSWORTH finally got the slice of luck he has been desperately waiting for as Tom Cleverley’s late penalty miss kept alive his slim chances of being appointed Everton’s full-time manager.
In a ludicrous match, superb second-half goals from Richarlison and Christian Kabasele meant Watford looked set for victory but they lost Heurelho Gomes to injury and that tipped the match – and the momentum – back in Everton’s favour.
Three goals in the last 23 minutes for Everton turned the occasion on its head as Unsworth’s charges showed the desire he has been asking for, despite Everton losing all three previous matches for which he has sat in the dugout.
Oumar Niasse and Dominic Calvert-Lewin dragged Everton level before Leighton Baines fired a 91st-minute penalty past Orestis Karnezis to send Goodison Park into relieved raptures.
However, when Watford were awarded a penalty in the 101st minute – there was an incredible 12 minutes’ additional time – former Evertonian Cleverley dragged wide as a crazy occasion finished with a final twist.
It remains likely that either Sam Allardyce or, ironically enough, Watford’s Marco Silva, will be approached in the coming days as Everton step up their search for a new permanent manager but for now, Unsworth can still dare to dream.
He said: “I might need to lie down in a dark room for half-an-hour.
All I know is that every day since I got the honour of standing in as manager I have given my all and I will continue to do that
Everton caretaker boss David Unsworth
“We showed great fight and spirit and that’s what you need at the bottom of the table. We showed great desire and determination. This club is built on that sort of attitude.
“All I know is that every day since I got the honour of standing in as manager I have given my all and I will continue to do that.
“I want what’s best for this club. If someone else comes in I will shake them by the hand and wish them the very best of luck. What will be will be.”
The first half was extremely pedestrian although Watford finished the stronger and just before the break, Jordan Pickford was lucky to get away with a mad dash from his line as Richarlison was fed in by Andre Gray. The Everton keeper misjudged his rush and was rounded by Richarlison but the Brazilian could not find the angle needed to slot home.
However, Richarlison made amends 32 seconds after the restart as Everton fell asleep at the back, Gray turned Michael Keane and slipped in the Brazilian who prodded home from six yards.
Soon after, Watford stopper Gomes had to be substituted for Premier League debutant Karnezis after the Brazilian keeper appeared to be concussed and cut in the process of making two fine back-to-back saves.
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The substitute goalkeeper had little to do initially as Kabasele nodded home Jose Holebas’ superb corner to make it 2-0.
But Everton were then given hope when Niasse scored a bizarre goal which lifted the home side immediately.
Ademola Lookman chipped him through, he rounded Karnezis, was fouled by Holebas but as he fell over he still managed to get enough on the ball to help it roll into the open goal.
The game became all Everton and when Calvert-Lewin rose highest to finish off a decent Baines corner, Unsworth finally had something to smile about.
His grin got even wider when Baines slammed home from 12 yards out in the 91st minute after Aaron Lennon was fouled in the area, but as the match came to a frenetic conclusion, Pickford hacked Richarlison down in the box, Cleverley stepped up and scuffed wide.
It was a cruel end for the midfielder and Silva said: “It’s really disappointing, for us and the fans. Tom will react well though.
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“We did everything well until 2-1. Even after 2-0, we had always had it under control then everything happened with our team. The injury to Gomes was a key moment, it was an important moment.”
