West Brom and Watford could not be separted as a a frantic first-half resulted in a 2-2 draw at Vicarage Road.
Tom Ince opened the scoring for the Hornets in the third minute, but then the Baggies turned the game on its head with two quick-fire goals from John Swift and Jed Wallace. Matheus Martins then brought the hosts back on level terms - but neither side could find a breakthrough after a breathtaking first 25 minutes.
It was a wretched start for as they fell behind from Watford’s first attack of the mtch. The hosts switched the play from right-to-left and Ince curled a shot over Alex Palmer after evading the challenge of numerous visiting players.
The visitors spurned a good chance to get back on level terms. Jayson Molumby forced Jeremy Ngakia into a mistake but Brandon Thomas-Asante could not get his control right.
West Brom did get themselves level and scored in fine fashion. Swift’s free-kick left Daniel Bachmann rooted as he powered his effort over the wall.
The game dramatically turned on its head. Furlong and Thomas-Asante pressed Watford into mistake and the former crossed in to Wallace who on the stretch turned his effort home.
Watford ensured celebrations would be short-lived as they equalised five minutes later. All the defenders stood off as Martins curled an effort just outside the box.
The wet and slippy conditions impacted play and Cedric Kipre had his blushes spared. His risky pass was picked up but in the end Kone blazed over the bar in a one-on-one in the final meaningful chance of the first period.
In the second-half, West Brom started on the front foot, and had two chances to take the lead. Semi Ajayi couldn’t force the ball over the line in a six-yard scramble whilst Thomas-Asante brought a save out of the goalkeeper with a fierce effort.
After a raft of substituion for both sides, Watford tried to take initative. Palmer made a brilliant reactive save as Ismael Kone’s header was tipped onto the bar. A second good save then followed as Palmer got down well and got a strong arm to deny Jamal Lewis.
Both sides made unforced errors and their goalkeepers needed to be alert - and it was Bachmann’s time to earn some credit. Jeremy Sarmiento thread the ball to Thomas-Asante but he couldn’t tuck away his chance and thus the match ended with two goals apiece.
Here are our Baggies player ratings from the 2-2 draw at Vicarage Road.
1. Alex Palmer - 7
Palmer was brilliant. Watford’s goals were too brilliant strikes and he was unfortunate with them. Kept the Baggies in the game. Photo: George Wood/Getty Images)
2. Cedric Kipre - 7
Two brilliant covering tackles from Kipre in the second-half. Photo: George Wood/Getty Images)
3. Semi Ajayi - 5
Didn’t get anywhere near the Watford attackers for Ince’s goal. Photo: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
4. Erik Pieters - 6
Did what was asked of him really - but both defences did struggle in the first-half. Photo: Pete Norton/Getty Images)