Watford and Plymouth fought out a goalless draw in the Vicarage Road sunshine that did nothing to help the ambitions of either club.
An insipid first half did at least give way to a second period full of chances and urgency.
However, Watford’s dominance after the interval could not be converted into the victory that would have enhanced their play-off hopes.
For bottom club Plymouth, who began the day six points adrift of the Championship safety zone, a solitary point felt similarly inadequate.
The visitors’ pressing game nullified the passing style of their hosts in a first half in which the only chances fell the way of Miron Muslic’s side.
Shortly before the half-hour, Michael Obafemi slipped a cute ball into the path of Ryan Hardie whose first-time swept shot was parried away superbly by Watford keeper Egil Selvik.
The two Plymouth strikers combined again shortly afterwards with Obafemi again the provider. On this occasion, Hardie’s shot was partially blocked by Caleb Wiley.
Visiting keeper Conor Hazard spent the opening half largely untroubled. Ryan Andrews ought to have tested him a minute before half-time only to misjudge a Wiley pull-back and allow the ball to bounce away from his feet.
It was not until injury time at the end of the first period that Rocco Vata attempted Watford’s first shot.
Even as the ball thudded into the advertising board wide of the Plymouth goal, ironic cheers rose up from the frustrated home supporters.
With a five-point deficit to make up on the play-off places at kick-off, victory felt imperative for Watford boss Tom Cleverley, whose frustration with his side’s passivity was clearly aired in the dressing room at half-time.
His side’s greater urgency was immediately apparent with crosses sent over from both flanks. One delivery by Wiley was nodded down by Francisco Sierralta only for Vakoun Bayo’s mistimed shot on the swivel to fail to make it through a forest of Plymouth legs.
Plymouth central defender Kornel Szucs was then required to block a Vata shot before Bayo threw himself at a driven Giorgi Chakvetadze cross but was beaten by its pace.
Suitably impressed, Cleverley introduced the energetic Kwadwo Baah whose dynamic wing play set up Vata for a shot that was deflected against the Plymouth crossbar.
Baah then sprinted away to sting the palms of Hazard with a rising shot. It seemed only a matter of time before the Plymouth goal was breached, although a volleyed Vata cross somehow evaded everyone in the six-yard box.
Opportunities for the away side were scarce until substitute Muhamed Tijani sent a low shot narrowly wide following an 87th-minute corner.
Watford were denied late on as a last-gasp Edo Kayembe shot was deflected inches over.
Chris Wilder labelled his side’s 2-0 win over Stoke a “proper away performance” as they got back to winning ways.The Blades had seen their automatic promotion hopes ended after losing four of their previous five, including their last three matches away from Bramall Lane.An improved showing saw Sam McCallum, making just his eighth start of the campaign, score late in the first hal...
Goals from Sam McCallum and Andre Brooks ensured Sheffield United returned to winning ways with by beating Stoke 2-0.The Blades had seen their automatic promotion hopes ended after losing four of their previous five, including their last three matches away from Bramall Lane.McCallum had scored just one goal since his summer move from Norwich but popped up at the back post when Rhian Brewster&rsquo...
Partick Thistle stunned title-chasing Falkirk as Terry Ablade secured a dramatic 2-1 William Hill Championship victory in the eighth minute of stoppage time.Thistle were reduced to 10 men after 35 minutes as Stuart Bannigan’s late challenge on Dylan Tait earned the midfielder a second yellow card.The hosts had taken a sixth-minute lead through interim manager Brian Graham’s 19th goal o...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Then & Now This Klopp seeing Slot can win the league with 80 points whilst he finished 2nd with 97 No, I won't. Real Madrid released a statement protesting the referee selection for Saturday's Copa del Rey final. Run Forest, run! In comparison Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball, Bleache...
WHAT HAPPENED?The Sun has reported Arsenal are ready to make a significant move to bolster their defence with a bid for the Barcelona defender, who has played a crucial role in the Blaugrana's push to win the treble this season.THE BIGGER PICTUREKounde is under contract until 2027 and has established himself as a key part of the Barcelona defence. He has played 51 times in all competitions this se...
Paris Saint-Germain gave serious thought to signing Christopher Nkunku during the winter transfer window but ultimately chose not to move forward. Although he remained at Chelsea, signs now point to a possible departure this summer.Nkunku joined Chelsea from RB Leipzig in 2023 for £52 million, but injuries and competition have kept him from locking down a regular spot in the starting lineup, ...
Ruben Amorim has said he is convinced that Manchester United can land their summer targets even after a disastrous season which could end in failure to qualify for European competition.United's hopes of reaching the Champions League rest on winning the Europa League. Even if they lift the trophy, Amorim's team remain on course for their lowest Premier League finish.The Portuguese coach is plotting...
Rashford urged to move to Newcastle by WrightIan Wright believes Newcastle United would be an ideal club for Marcus Rashford with his future at Manchester United in doubt.Wright told the Ringer FC podcast of a possible deal for Rashford: "It's the kind of signing Newcastle should be making. That would be amazing. That would be dangerous. Rashford at Newcastle? Yeah. That would be really good. I re...
Birmingham boss Chris Davies says the Blues should be very proud of breaking the 100-point barrier.Alex Cochrane’s winner after 75 minutes was hit from 30 yards and was perfectly-placed to find the corner and hand City a 1-0 win at Stevenage.And it takes them onto 102 points with three games remaining.“I’m very proud,” said the Birmingham boss. “Not many teams will ge...
Alex Cochrane’s superb long-range strike was enough to take League One champions Birmingham over the 100-point mark with a 1-0 win at Stevenage.The game was the perfect example of a clash of styles, Birmingham wanting to play it around, but Stevenage aiming to outwork them.Boro arguably would have been happier with their first-half showing, Jordan Roberts pulling a low shot wide of the targe...
- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Cole Palmer’s girlfriend Connie Grace dazzles in low-cut top and mini skirt
- 3 Man Utd & Man City join PSG in race for Akliouche
- 4 We always have a chance – Miron Muslic bullish as Plymouth boost survival hopes
- 5 Tottenham to compete with Man City for defender
- 6 Ten-man Falkirk beaten by Raith as late goals keep title race alive
- 7 Big Brother legend Chanelle Hayes flaunts weight loss in red bikini
- 8 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 9 Daily Laugh - Totttenham 1-2 N Forest
- 10 Liverpool join race to sign attacker Jeremy Monga