PAULO GAZZANIGA’S penalty save rescued Tottenham from a third straight Premier League defeat.
Yet Jose Mourinho’s men remain without a league goal this year as Harry Kane’s hamstring injury continues to dent their hopes of Champions League qualification.
Watford’s Ignacio Pussetto hacked off the line from Erik LamelaCredit: Reuters
Football can be cruel, or delightful, whichever way you look at itCredit: EPA
This was how close Tottenham came to winning it at the death
Nigel Pearson’s Hornets revival continued with a sixth straight unbeaten match – but skipper Troy Deeney failed to secure what would have been a deserved win when his 70th-minute spot-kick was well saved by Argentinian keeper Gazzaniga.
In a disjointed and ill-tempered encounter, Watford’s Etienne Capoue and Abdoulaye Doucoure were both fortunate to escape red cards.
But Pearson’s men, who had climbed out of the relegation places with an impressive recent run, created most of the clear-cut chances.
Gerard Deulofeu and Ismaila Sarr both went close early on for the hosts and Spurs youngster Japhet Tanganga – playing out if position at left-back was relieved to receive only a yellow card for dragging back the dangerous Sarr as the winger bore down on goal.
The referee had an easy decision when Jan Vertonghen handled in the areaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
This was the brilliant save from Paulo Gazzaniga to deny Troy Deeney from the spotCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Deeney back-heeled wide across goal after more crafty work from Sarr and a Nathaniel Chalobah cross shot was pushed away by Gazzaniga.
Capoue ought to have been booked for a high challenge on Tanganga and then was cautioned soon after for a heavy and cynical challenge on Giovani Lo Celso.
But it wasn’t until the 38th minute that Spurs created their first genuine opening, Dele Alli releasing Lucas Moura, whose shot was saved by the body of the on-rushing Ben Foster.
Son Heung-Min volleyed miles over after being picked out by a visionary lofted pass from Harry Winks.
Troy Deeney sees an effort blocked as he tries to break the deadlockCredit: Richard Pelham – The Sun
Paulo Gazzaniga tips an effort over the bar for an acrobatic stopCredit: Richard Pelham – The Sun
But after the break Watford were back in the ascendancy – Doucore and Sarr both off-target with close range efforts that ought to have been converted.
Alli headed one over for Spurs before Deeney had a shot deflected wide.
Then came Doucoure’s heart-in-mouth moment as VAR checked on a skirmish with Winks and Jan Vertonghen, during which the Watford midfielder lost his head.
Watford finally thought they had made the breakthrough when Deulofeu’s shot was handled by a falling Vertonghen but Gazzaniga plunged low to his right to push away Deeney’s spot-kick.
Mourinho handed a debut to on-loan Benfica midfielder Gedson Fernandes but it was another debutant who made a greater impression.
Watford’s Ignacio Pussetto hacked off the line from Erik Lamela in injury-time.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
