Premier League
West BromWest Bromwich Albion2WatfordWatford2

West Bromwich Albion 2-2 Watford

By Kris HollandBBC Sport
Richarlison
Richarlison (third right) saved Watford a point with his third goal for the club

Richarlison scored an injury-time equaliser as Watford came from two goals down to save a point at West Bromwich Albion.

The Baggies scored twice in three first-half minutes through Salomon Rondon and captain Jonny Evans, before Abdoulaye Doucoure reduced the deficit before the break.

The hosts looked set to record a first Premier League win since 19 August when Brazil Under-20 international Richarlison connected with a Jose Holebas free-kick deep into added time.

The result means Watford maintain their unbeaten record on the road this season.

The Hornets started the match stronger and dominated possession throughout, but the first two clear-cut opportunities went to West Brom, who took them both.

First Rondon shrugged off Christian Kabasele to get onto a Grzegorz Krychowiak pass before finishing past Heurelho Gomes from an acute angle.

Evans doubled the lead after Matt Phillips' whipped corner came off the top of Doucoure's head straight into the path of the Northern Irishman.

Doucoure made amends before half-time, finishing a neat passing move involving Troy Deeney and Richarlison, who was finally rewarded for being a threat when he netted in the 95th minute.

Marco Silva's side move up to fifth, while West Brom climb to 10th.

Hornets loving life on the road

The visitors moved the ball well and had almost two thirds of the possession at The Hawthorns.

Having won league games at Bournemouth, Southampton and Swansea already this season, Richarlison's late goal means Watford have taken 10 points from a possible 12 away from home.

They have already equalled their tally of Premier League away wins last season, and are halfway to their highest number in a campaign.

But they will want to match that at home, with the Hertfordshire side having taken just two points from a possible nine at Vicarage Road.

graphic

Injury-time equaliser 'hard to take' for Pulis

Watford draw hard to take - Pulis

West Brom manager Tony Pulis accepted his side switched off as Watford scored their late equaliser.

However, the former Stoke boss was unhappy with the decision to award the free-kick from which it was scored.

Referee Michael Oliver adjudged James McClean had fouled Richarlison, and showed the Republic of Ireland international a yellow card.

"When you're playing into the 95th minute of four minutes' added time and they score that's very hard to take," said Pulis.

"The challenge was a good tackle. He plays the ball. A sliding challenge. Oliver was 10 yards away and sees it perfectly and then gives a free-kick."

'We kept believing' - what they said

Watford deserved late point - Silva

Watford manager Marco Silva: "I believe nobody in the stadium or watching it would say we didn't deserve the point. We came here to play our game with our philosophy and we knew that would involve taking risks

"They want that - to sit and wait for our mistakes. But we don't change because that's our way. In some moments we were too slow in the first half. I told our players at half-time: 'If you continue the same way we'll achieve a good result.'

"Richarlison is an amazing talent. I told my board I want this player because I believe in him. We never know how he'll react coming from Brazil. Brazilian players can have problems in another country but he's been really good."

Watford midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure: "You could see with Jose Holebas, he was tackling five minutes before and then got the assist. We kept believing until the end and that's what you get.

"We have to be thankful for the fans because they're always behind us."

West Brom defender Jonny Evans: "We had a good start to the season and we've tailed off a bit maybe.

"But it's still early days. We have nine points, which is something we can build on."

Man of the match - Richarlison (Watford)

Richarlison
The Brazilian was a constant threat in attack for the Hornets, and his late equaliser means he has now scored in the 90th minute in two successive Premier League games, earning Watford three points

Bad day for the Baggies - the stats

  • This was the first time West Brom failed to win a Premier League match they were two goals ahead in since nearly two years to the day (WBA 2-3 Everton - 28 September 2015).
  • Before today, Watford's Premier League record in the 52 games in which they have trailed by two goals was W1 D0 L51 - the only other time they have picked up points being a 4-2 win at West Ham last September.
  • Salomon Rondon scored a Premier League goal at The Hawthorns for the first time since December 2016, ending a run of 13 league appearances there without a goal.
  • Five of Jonny Evans' eight Premier League goals have been headers following corners. He also scored against Watford at The Hawthorns for WBA last season in the Premier League - this was also a header from a corner in the first half.
  • Abdoulaye Doucoure has scored three goals in seven Premier League appearances for Watford this season. The only top-flight campaign in which he has scored more is 2013-14 (six in 20) for Rennes in Ligue 1.

What's next?

After the international break, Watford host Arsenal on Saturday, 14 October (17:30 BST), while West Brom travel to Leicester City on Monday, 16 October (20:00 BST).

Line-ups

West Brom

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 1Foster
  • 25Dawson
  • 26Hegazi
  • 6EvansBooked at 88mins
  • 3Gibbs
  • 20Krychowiak
  • 18Barry
  • 10PhillipsSubstituted forMcCleanat 58'minutesBooked at 90mins
  • 19Rodriguez
  • 11BruntSubstituted forLivermoreat 62'minutesBooked at 87mins
  • 9RondónSubstituted forRobson-Kanuat 73'minutes

Substitutes

  • 2Nyom
  • 4Robson-Kanu
  • 7Morrison
  • 8Livermore
  • 13Myhill
  • 14McClean
  • 22Chadli

Watford

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 1Gomes
  • 21Femenía
  • 6Mariappa
  • 27Kabasele
  • 25Holebas
  • 16Doucouré
  • 29CapoueSubstituted forPereyraat 62'minutes
  • 28CarrilloSubstituted forGrayat 75'minutes
  • 8Cleverley
  • 11Richarlison
  • 9Deeney

Substitutes

  • 2Janmaat
  • 3Britos
  • 18Gray
  • 19Hughes
  • 23Watson
  • 30Karnezis
  • 37Pereyra
Referee:
Michael Oliver
Attendance:
24,606

Match Stats

Home TeamWest BromAway TeamWatford
Possession
Home35%
Away65%
Shots
Home9
Away15
Shots on Target
Home4
Away3
Corners
Home7
Away6
Fouls
Home12
Away11

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, West Bromwich Albion 2, Watford 2.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, West Bromwich Albion 2, Watford 2.

  3. Goal!

    Goal! West Bromwich Albion 2, Watford 2. Richarlison (Watford) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by José Holebas with a cross following a set piece situation.

  4. Booking

    James McClean (West Bromwich Albion) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  5. Post update

    Richarlison (Watford) wins a free kick on the left wing.

  6. Post update

    Foul by James McClean (West Bromwich Albion).

  7. Post update

    Offside, Watford. Heurelho Gomes tries a through ball, but Troy Deeney is caught offside.

  8. Post update

    Tom Cleverley (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  9. Post update

    Foul by Jay Rodriguez (West Bromwich Albion).

  10. Post update

    Corner, West Bromwich Albion. Conceded by José Holebas.

  11. Post update

    Attempt blocked. James McClean (West Bromwich Albion) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Hal Robson-Kanu.

  12. Post update

    Tom Cleverley (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  13. Post update

    Foul by Jay Rodriguez (West Bromwich Albion).

  14. Booking

    Jonny Evans (West Bromwich Albion) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  15. Post update

    Roberto Pereyra (Watford) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  16. Post update

    Foul by Jonny Evans (West Bromwich Albion).

  17. Booking

    Jake Livermore (West Bromwich Albion) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  18. Post update

    Andre Gray (Watford) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  19. Post update

    Foul by Jake Livermore (West Bromwich Albion).

  20. Post update

    Foul by Adrian Mariappa (Watford).

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