Goalkeepers steal show as Watford end Burnley's winning run in goalless draw

Burnley’s run of four successive wins came to an end at Watford, but Sean Dyche’s men picked up another valuable point on his return to Vicarage Road.

The former Watford manager frustrated the club that sacked him in 2012, and although results elsewhere meant Burnley dropped back towards the relegation zone, Dyche was encouraged by his side’s performance. 

They might even have taken all three points if Chris Wood’s stoppage-time strike had not been disallowed for offside, a marginal call.

“I think it was onside and was surprised it wasn’t given. I think VAR must help when it comes in,” he said.

“For me it was a winning performance because we had some golden chances and didn’t take them.”

Indeed, the result had as much to do with wayward finishing as the excellent performances from both goalkeepers, Tom Heaton and Ben Foster.

The pattern for a game of missed opportunities was set in the second minute when Gerard Deulofeu had a clear run on goal but was denied by Heaton, whose return to the Burnley side at the expense of Joe Hart has coincided with the club’s fine run of results.

Heaton saved a weak effort from Ken Sema but it was from two Deeney efforts either side of half-time that the former England keeper made his most spectacular saves. Shortly before the break he showed remarkable reflexes to keep out Deeney’s half-volley from eight yards, and then in the 56th minute Heaton saved with his feet as the Watford captain attempted to put the ball in from close range.

Foster was not to be outdone, though. The Watford keeper made excellent saves to keep out an Ashley Barnes header on the half-hour, and a Jeff Hendrick shot in the second half. He was also thankful for some poor finishing, as Barnes missed a sitter shortly before half-time, shooting wide from five yards, although an offside flag spared some of his embarrassment.

Chris Wood shot into the side-netting on the turn, and then Dwight McNeil volleyed high over the bar from close range. The teenager looked impressive on the left of midfield and went close with a long-range free-kick that flew into the side-netting.

Wood thought he had won it for Burnley in stoppage time when he followed up to shoot home after Foster spilt a McNeil shot, but that offside flag ruled it out, leaving a result that reflected the balance of play – and the excellence of the two goalkeepers.

For Javi Gracia, it was disappointing way to celebrate his first anniversary in charge, on a day that marked two years since Watford legend Graham Taylor passed away.