Fulham vs Watford – Premier League as it happened: Alexander Mitrovic rescues late point after Andre Gray's opener
Watford travel to Fulham for the opening game of the weekend's Premier League festivities looking to bounce back following their first defeat of the season.
The Hornets' 2-1 defeat by Manchester United blemished their perfect start to the campaign and Javi Gracia is determined to regain some of that lost momentum at Craven Cottage.
Fulham have shown promising signs in their opening five games, particularly in the attacking third with Aleksandar Mitrovic and Andre Schurrle particularly threatening, but with only four points on the board this is an opportunity to climb the table.
A game of two halves this one. Watford dominated the first half completely, they should have had three possibly four goals in the first 45 minutes but Fulham responded well. They changed their formation and personnel at half time and came out fighting. They chased the game in the second half and deservedly got the equaliser. 1 - 1 a fair result for both teams.
There's 3 minutes added time, either side could still win this but I think a draw would be the fairest result. Fulham have been excellent in the second half. Mitrovic runs the ball inside from the right, Holebas dropping off him, he puts it on his left and fires a shot forcing Foster to make the save behind for a corner. Seri takes it and Mitrovic heads it onto the bar!
Fulham in the ascendancy now, their tails are up and they believe they can win this game. With that goal Mitrovic tops the table of most English League goals scored since Feb. He has 17, Mo Salah 15 and the mighty Will Grigg has 14.
Ignore what I just said, Fulham are level, the ball comes over to the right hand side of Watford's box, Vietto claims it and Janmaat is weak in defence, almost as though he doesn't want to make a challenge, Vietto gets past him and delivers a low ball across goal that Mitrovic puts into the back of the net
This game has 1-0 written all over it. The ball is flying from end to end and chances are coming thick and fast, that just means there won't be any more goals.
Fulham have been way more attacking in this half, they're chasing the game and doing it well, Seri and Schurrle combine to got another shot away and Fulham win a corner. Seri delivers and Deeney has to head it away.
Fosu-Mensah makes a great run into Watford's box gliding past the defenders as though they're statues, he tries to cut it back to Vietto but Hughes intercepts and clears
Good play all round there. First Watford work the ball on the right wing with Hughs and Janmaat combing to create an opening to get the ball into the box, it's headed away and Holebas takes a shot that's blocked. Fulham then break and Holebas sprints back down the pitch to delay the cross and Janmaat puts pressure on Vietto before Mitrovic gets the chance to shoot
Good save from Bettinelli, Watford win the ball back after a good tackle form Kabasele, Doucoure recieves the ball and runs with it, he's got optioins to his left and right, he sends Gray into the box on the right and Gray takes a shot with his right forcing Bettinelli into a diving save.
10 minutes gone in the second half, Fulham have looked the sharper of the two sides, they're playing with more urgency and desire. Watford's defenders are being made to work a lot more already.
Mitrovic almost brings it level, Vietto and Schurrle combine on the left, Schurrle whips the ball into the box and Mitrovic wins the header, Cathcart did enough to make Mitrovic head the ball over the bar.
Watford restart the action but Fulham win the ball, Sessegnon takes it out wide, delivers a cross hoping to find Mitrovic but he can't quite reach the ball.
Watford have dominated this first half, they could easily be 3 or 4 in front. Fulham found their feet as the half went on but they look shaky at the back
Holebas delivers the ball once again to Bettinelli, Fulham play it quickly and win a free kick in Watford's half, Cathcart the offender. Seri whips it in with pace and wins a corner. He delivers, but Foster comes and claims it.
Fulham win a corner, Seri whips it in with pace and it flies over everyone's heads. That could've been a good chance for Fulham to get back into the game. Watford hit the ball long, Deeney wins it and Chambers brings him down. Free kick!