Pedro is Proud as Punch
Watford v Reading
With the World Cup looming this was the last thriller at Vicarage Road before the spectacle. The Hornets endeavoured to ignite hope in their supporters once the Championship returns to action. They accomplished this heroically against a Reading side that could not provide many surprises.
The first infliction emerged in the 15th minute after Watford were awarded a penalty. Joao Pedro was savagely manhandled and bought to the ground. He coolly and calmly slotted home to put the Hornets ahead.
Reading’s manager Paul Ince stated to the BBC that, “I’m disappointed with the penalty, in the first 15 minutes we caused them problems, then we made a stupid foul in the area. They’re a top team and we helped them.”
The visitor’s goalkeeper Joe Lumley then denied them another. Ismail Sarr rampaged like wind down the left before forcing his way into the danger zone. Sarr flicked the ball into the middle that eventually fell to his compatriot Keinan Davis. He turned only to witness his effort being nudged away by the diving keeper.
This story could have been written differently had Reading’s Tyrese Fornah’s free kick on the left sparked fireworks. Instead, it floated over the edge of the crossbar.
Vicarage Road is a tough fortress for any away team as Watford battle like warriors until the bitter end. There was controversy sparkling when Davis was presented with the ball. He surged forward with Reading’s Baba Rahman in hot pursuit. Together they fell to the ground like heavyweights, but no spot kick was signalled.
Pedro had another attempt from just outside the area that drifted through a wall of defenders. Lumley’s replacement Dean Bouzanis got a fingertip to it, preventing further celebrations. Slaven Bilic Watford’s manager expressed to the BBC that, “it was a very dominant performance.”
Arguably Reading’s best moment came when the ball was sent to Tom Ince in attacking midfield via a free kick. His shot flew inches over the bar.
Pedro nearly grabbed another however Reading’s Tom Holmes got his foot in the path to guide it wide. He did wrap up the encounter in the remaining minutes though when Sarr lobbed the ball into the box. Bouzanis managed to palm it away but only towards Pedro hovering nearby. His fierce strike punctured the opposition to achieve victory for Watford.
One individual who was an unsung hero throughout and a potent threat was Hamza Choudhury. He was superb with his clever link up play and producing formidable attacks.
Bilic told the BBC that, “We started where we stopped on Saturday (against Coventry). No matter that we lost the game, we played good football. The only things that were missing were a bit of quality and a bit of luck in front of their goal and better communication and reactions in our box.”
Consequently, this has now propelled Watford up to fifth in the Championship.
By Nick Park
