Tom Cleverley nets wonder volley as Watford fight from behind to secure away victory against Crystal Palace

Tom Cleverley claims three points for Watford
Tom Cleverley claims three points for Watford Credit: action images

Tom Cleverley came off the bench to score a wonderful volley and give Watford a victory which takes them to the giddy heights of seventh.

For a long time this game struggled to come to life. It was scrappy, tetchy and lacking in finesse, though Watford twice struck the post with their first attack. Gerard Deulofeu and Roberto Pereyra were the unfortunate players as they caught Palace napping.

But two Watford goals in seven second-half minutes turned the game on its head after Palace had the lead and all the momentum at the beginning of the second half.

The narratives off the pitch seemed rather more interesting than those on it. Watford’s Troy Deeney was charged for comments about the referee David Coote following his team’s recent game at Bournemouth.

Crystal Palace’s Wayne Hennessey is also under investigation by the FA after making what appeared to be a Nazi gesture during a meal with team-mates following the club’s FA Cup victory over Cardiff last weekend.

Wilfried Zaha shoots from a tight angle
Wilfried Zaha shoots from a tight angle Credit: reuters

The Palace keeper might have preferred a quieter afternoon as things turned out. Coach Roy Hodgson had named him on the bench but was forced to bring him on when Vicente Guaita suffered an injury at the end of the first half. Hennessey had done little before he was forced to pick the ball out of his net after Craig Cathcart was allowed to creep all the way to the far post to nod in Jose Holebas’ corner ahead of James Tomkins.

That was redemption for Cathcart, who earlier was the incredibly unfortunate scorer of an own goal after team-mate Abdoulaye Doucoure had hacked the ball against him, causing it to loop back over the line.

“I trust him because he always shows very good commitment. The whole team showed character and vision to be able to turn the game around. I’m proud of all my players,” said the Watford manager, Javi Gracia.

Seven minutes later, Hennessey watched the ball fly into the same corner of his net as substitute Cleverley smashed in a volley after Luka Milivojevic had failed to gain sufficient distance on his clearing header.

This is Watford’s fourth consecutive away game unbeaten, equalling their record in the top flight.

“Before the game, some of you ask me if I am happier with our performances away from home than at home but I don’t care. Our mentality is to always to give our best.,” said Gracia.

“That’s football isn’t it?” said Hodgson. “We started the second half very brightly which was important after taking the lead at the end of the first. It’s tough to lose any game, it’s even tougher to win at home. I’m afraid that there’s no obvious emotion that I can display other than being very sad.”

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