It has been a testing week for Roberto Martínez but no amount of semantic squirming could distort the two messages from Everton’s supporters. This was an even match between two teams struggling for form but more significant were the banners in the away end that read “Baines is one of us” and, quite simply, “Martínez Out”.
Leighton Baines was the player who said Everton lacked chemistry after last weekend’s defeat to Manchester United and, while Martínez attempted to explain in midweek that the left-back’s comments were misinterpreted, on this evidence it is clear who the fans agree with.
The manner in which Everton conceded here will have added fuel to the growing frustration. This was no classic, but after James McCarthy put the away side in front in first-half injury time following a bad error from Miguel Britos, getting in to half-time ahead should have been a formality for Martínez’s men.
In the end, there was almost a sense of resignation when José Holebas headed in just 38 seconds later and, following a series of impressive saves from Heurelho Gomes, Everton were denied a first victory since they beat Aston Villa in early March.
“The fans are allowed to express their views and once the game started the support was magnificent,” said Martínez. “We felt that support and for me they are the best fans in world football. Every time we play we can rely on our support.
“We were unfortunate to concede so close to half-time. What’s more disappointing is the nature of the goal, it’s a dead-ball situation, a header that bounces off the back of a player and in. That’s the nature of good fortune or bad fortune at times.”
As it was, neither side had much chemistry during a fragmented match that provided two goals following defensive lapses. Watford had lost their previous four league matches and Everton three, yet both have an FA Cup semi-final – Watford against Crystal Palace and Everton against Manchester United or West Ham – this month to keep interest kindled.
Thirty-two years have passed since these teams met in the final of that competition and Everton supporters still have a banner from that afternoon, when they won 2-0 at Wembley. Here at Vicarage Road, “Sorry Elton, I guess that’s why they call us the Blues” was held up in the away end, among the demonstrations of discontent. Watford and Everton could yet meet in another FA Cup final next month but, to get there, both sides’ form will surely need to improve. John Stones, in particular, had a poor first half in front of Roy Hodgson and both goals were preventable.
Everton, who will test Ross Barkley after the midfielder sustained a knock to his knee and Phil Jagielka who suffered a late hamstring problem, took the lead through McCarthy in first-half injury time. The midfielder capitalised on a poor piece of control from Britos at centre-half, muscling the defender off the ball before firing low and left-footed past Gomes.
However, only seconds later Watford equalised. Stones, who had already shunted the ball straight out of play on three occasions, put Robles under pressure unnecessarily with a heavy backpass and the goalkeeper sliced it out for a corner. Ben Watson crossed to the far post, where Holebas, the Greece international full-back, headed back across goal and in following a deflection off Séamus Coleman.
In the 55th minute Gomes kept Watford level with a fine save to keep out Aaron Lennon’s low shot from 25 yards and the Watford goalkeeper was called upon late on when Everton were awarded a free-kick on the right-hand side. The substitute Kevin Mirallas hit a low shot but Gomes dived to keep it out and Romelu Lukaku’s follow-up hit the bar.
Quique Sánchez Flores, the Watford manager, said: “It was a fair result. Everyone is talking about the FA Cup, but the players and staff have also to talk about the Premier League because we have six more matches and we have to prepare for these.”
