Watford boss Tom Cleverley hailed his side’s character as they bounced back from letting a two-goal lead slip to beat Millwall 3-2 at The Den.
The Hornets went 2-0 up thanks to goals from Edo Kayembe and Giorgi Chakvetadze either side of the break but were pegged back by a Duncan Watmore double late on that looked to see the spoils shared.
But Mileta Rajovic popped up in the 90th minute to grab a dramatic winner and clinch an opening-day three points for Cleverley’s men.
He said: “It’s never an easy place to come – we expected the start of the game to go how it did, to be competitive.
“We got a real foothold and scored the first goal. We cut through them at times and created more opportunities. The second goal was probably against the run of play.
“We showed huge character to come back after conceding the two goals.
“We didn’t manage the game how we would like to. No-one was hiding, all the players wanted the ball, just technical mistakes led to the goals and we’ll get better at that with work and belief.
“I can’t fault the character of the players in controlling the ball.”
Striker Rajovic made the perfect start to his campaign after 11 goals last term in his debut season.
The Dane came off the bench to grab the winner and Cleverley revealed it has given him a selection headache ahead of three consecutive home games across cup and league action.
He added: “Mileta has smelled the chance coming, took the risk and got in a great position to score the goal. All I can ask is for him to put his neck forward and make my decision (about who to pick) as hard as possible.
“It is a good chance heading into three home games, for us to get that momentum of a winning culture.
“First things first we have to outperform last season and get in the top 10. It’s about working hard on the training field and not celebrating these wins, because I want them to become the norm.”
While Cleverley was pleased with the way his side responded to adversity, Millwall boss Neil Harris was left ruing the way his side let their hard work be undone at the death.
He said: “I don’t think we settled very well at the start. We looked very emotional in our decision-making and I really understand that – it was tough for all of us today.
“We went behind to a goal that doesn’t belong in under-12s football, let alone first-team football at The Den.
“I spoke to the boys about a little bit more bravery and second half we were excellent. We played really, really well. The second goal was a sucker-punch – like the first – because they hadn’t got in our final third until that moment.
“Getting back to 2-2 we were bold and brave with the ball. You think here we go, we’ve got the momentum and the place is rocking. I’m just really disappointed with my group for the manner of the third goal as well – it’s really poor by us.
“I won’t make excuses for people. Obviously it was emotionally difficult today, did we get wrapped up in that at the end? Possibly.
“But I do expect better traits from my Millwall team than that.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Liverpool & Wirtz now Ange Postecoglou to be sacked by Tottenham Hotspur Feeling old Premier League big team transfer Antony? THIS IS MENTAL The Manchester United pull…Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, FootballLaughss, originaltrollfootball)...
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup debuts in the United States with a fresh format, gathering 32 elite clubs for the pinnacle of inter-club competition. This edition spotlights Group C, which brings together Bundesliga leaders FC Bayern Munich, South American powerhouses Boca Juniors, Primeira Liga giants SL Benfica, and Oceanian dark horses Auckland City FC. These teams, with their diverse and unique s...
According to reports, new Bayer Leverkusen boss Erik ten Hag is considering signing the Brazilian for Leverkusen this summer.Erik ten Hag is reportedly keen to sign Antony for Bayer LeverkusenTen Hag was in charge at United when Antony arrived for £86m in 2022.But the tricky winger's time in Manchester has been nothing short of a disaster, with Antony even admitting he went days without eatin...
Premier League runners-up Arsenal are now 'advancing' in their attempts to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig, according to widespread reports.The Gunners are finally going to sign a new centre-forward this summer with widespread reports claiming that Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta have a couple of targets in mind.Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko have...
Arsenal have received a huge boost in their quest to sign 'their main target' in the summer transfer window, with a report revealing that a two-time Champions League winner is 'willing' to move to the Gunners.What promised to be a successful season for Arsenal turned out to be trophyless yet again. Mikel Arteta's side could not last the distance in the race for the Premier League title, and the eu...
Liverpool struggling to agree Kerkez fee with BournemouthLiverpool are struggling to agree a fee with Bournemouth for the signing of full-back Milos Kerkez, per a new report.Per i News, Liverpool have been locked in talks with the Cherries over a deal to sign Kerkez but have yet to agree a fee for the left-back. The 21-year-old is valued at £45 million ($61m) and the Cherries are refusing to ...
Panama v Mexico: Final - CONCACAF Nations LeagueThe Fulham striker dismissed the idea of a true football rivalry between El Tri and La Albiceleste.Chile v Argentina - FIFA World Cup 2026 QualifierWHAT HAPPENED?Raúl Jiménez, striker for Fulham and a regular with the Mexican national team, weighed in on recent remarks made by Lionel Messi regarding the supposed football rivalry between Mex...
Tottenham Hotspur FC v Brighton & Hove Albion FC - Premier LeagueThomas Tuchel says he has the "greatest respect" for Ange Postecoglou, but has hinted he understands why Tottenham chose to sack the Australian. WHAT HAPPENED?England boss Tuchel was asked about Postecoglou at his press conference ahead of the Three Lions' World Cup qualifier against Andorra, with the news breaking minutes before...
Tottenham Hotspur FC v Brighton & Hove Albion FC - Premier LeagueTottenham players have been left fuming by the club's decision to sack Ange Postecoglou and his successor may face a player revolt, per a new report.WHAT HAPPENED?Per the Daily Telegraph, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has angered a number of players with his decision to sack Postecoglou on the back of their Europa League triumph. Wh...
Bayer 04 Leverkusen v Borussia Mönchengladbach - BundesligaLiverpool have submitted a fresh bid for Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz, and are now reportedly closer to reaching a deal for the German.WHAT HAPPENED?The Premier League champions have been working hard since the end of the season to sign Bayer Leverkusen's in-demand Wirtz, as they looked to beat the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester...
- 1 Albanian Laura Woods wows fans in Champions League final outfit
- 2 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 3 Marcus Rashford 'grows close' to stunning semi-pro padel player
- 4 Why Premier League transfer may be off the cards for Victor Osimhen as Man Utd make 'timid' attempts to convince striker
- 5 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 6 FIFA confirms 34 team base camp training sites in the United States for 2025 Club World Cup, including nine in Florida and five in Calitornia
- 7 Man Utd continue to be linked with Emi Martinez
- 8 Daily Laugh - Mbeumo and his amazing talent
- 9 Liverpool's dream transfer window with six signings including £100m striker
- 10 Chukwueze reveals cause of AC Milan’s ‘disastrous’ season