Lucas Digne's last-ditch free-kick denies Watford win
Everton defender Lucas Digne scored with a superb free-kick deep into added time to salvage a 2-2 draw against Watford in a frenetic Premier League clash at Goodison Park on Monday.
Richarlison had given the home side an early lead before Watford made it 2-1 with two goals in three minutes just past the hour mark, Seamus Coleman scoring an own goal and Abdoulaye Doucoure powering home a header.
When Gylfi Sigurdsson spurned the chance to equalise when his penalty was saved just second later, Watford looked to be heading for a win but Frenchman Digne then popped up with his first Everton goal.
The night had started well for the Merseysiders, looking for the three points that would lift them above Manchester United into sixth, when Richarlison scored against his old club after a quarter of an hour.
Everton's Coleman put through his own goal in the 63rd minute when Roberto Pererya's effort hit the post and rebounded off the defender into the net before Doucoure put the visitors in front.
Three minutes later Sigurdsson fired his spot-kick down the middle and Ben Foster saved with his legs but just as mid-table Watford thought they had done enough to win Digne equalised.
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Everton start the match, Andre Gomes punts it forward looking for Richarlison but Watford win the ball and work it down the right. It's crossed into the box and Walcott clears it away.
Digne gets forward for Everton on the left wing, he puts the ball into the box and Walcott meests it at the far post but sends his header safely into Foster's arms.
Everton play the ball out from the defence but don't get far as Watford press high and win back the ball. They don't make much use of it though as Richarlison gets it back and is then fouled.
Sigurdsson tries to slip the ball through the defence into the path of Walcott who comes running into the box from the right but Foster is aware and runs quickly off his line to make the interception.
Walcott is brought down in the penalty area but is offside. Doucoure makes an error trying to pass the ball back to his own defence. His pass is weak and Richarlison intercepts, he runs the ball forward and tries to put Sigurdsson into the box but the pass is poor and Watford clear the ball.
The ball is brought in from the right and Gomes collects it. He plays a one-two with Walcott in the box before pulling it back into the centre where Richarlison is waiting to clinically power the ball into the back of the net.
Watford almost equalise immediately. They break quickly run the ball into the box. Quina runs onto it as it lays comes out of a tackle and he flicks it to Deeney on the far post. Deeney meets it on the volley and puts it over the bar.
He's ruled offside so it wouldn't have counted anyway.
Coleman gets involved in a tussle and gives away a free kick from a similar distance. Holebas this time puts it into the box but Everton manage to put the ball out for a throw in.
Walcott cuts into the box from the right and wins a corner. Watford clear the ball but Everton put it straight back into the box courtesy of Sigurdsson. Yerry Mina tries to get to the ball and sticks out a hand resulting in a booking.
Everton win another corner and the ball is put into the centre of the box. It's headed away into the path of Digne who hits it first time but only manages to put it out of play.
Sigurdsson tries to score from range but Foster has it covered. Watford look good, despite being a goal down, but they need to start creating more chances in front of goal.
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports’ Premier League and Main Event channels from 7pm. Sky Sports subscribers can also watch the game via the Sky Go app.
The match will also be available on Now TV by grabbing a day pass for just £7.99. https://www.nowtv.com/watch-sky-sports-online
Highlights will be shown at 10am on Tuesday on Sky Sports Premier League.
Player to watch…
Andre Gomes: The Portuguese international has really settled into life in the north-west and that has resulted in some impressive performances. He was once again a level above his teammates in their 1-1 draw with Newcastle, and was trying to make things happen at Anfield in the Merseyside derby. Watford have lost three on the trot and a fully-confident Andre Gomes will be looking to exploit the weaknesses in the Hornets’ defence.
Andre Gomes has impressed at Everton (PA)
Form guide…
Everton: LWDWLD
Watford: WLDLLL
Odds…
Everton to win: 3/4
Watford to win: 19/5
Draw: 14/5
(Odds provided by 888 Sport)
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