Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Watford - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - February 8, 2020 Watford's Adrian Mariappa scores an own goal and Brighton & Hove Albion's first as Ben Foster reacts REUTERS/David Klein
A bizarre own goal from Watford's Adrian Mariappa allowed relegation rivals Brighton & Hove Albion to take a precious point in a 1-1 draw at the Amex Stadium that left both sides facing a continued struggle to stay in the Premier League.
With the visitors apparently heading for victory, Brighton substitute Alireza Jahanbakhsh drilled the ball across goal but, under no pressure, Mariappa fired past his own keeper on 78 minutes.
The home side, who have not won this year, could hardly believe their luck after seldom threatening - or even mustering a shot on goal.
Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Watford - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - February 8, 2020 Watford's Adrian Mariappa scores an own goal and Brighton & Hove Albion's first as Ben Foster reacts and Brighton & Hove Albion players celebrate REUTERS/David Klein
Abdoulaye Doucoure gave Watford the lead on 19 minutes after Aaron Mooy's ambitious through ball forward rebounded into his path. The Frenchman sped forward to the area, firing an unstoppable shot into the top right corner of the Brighton net.
It was Doucoure's third goal in six league games -- as many as in his previous 34. Brighton squandered promising first-half chances with Mooy and Leandro Trossard firing high, and lacked the creativity to unsettle the visitors' massed defence.
Brighton brought on top scorer Neil Maupay for Dan Burn at the start of the second half and later turned to overhead-kick specialist Jahanbakhsh, who eventually made an unexpected difference.
Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Watford - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - February 8, 2020 Watford's Adrian Mariappa looks dejected after the match as Troy Deeney speaks with the match officials Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley
The goal kept Watford in the relegation zone on 24 points, three adrift of 15th-placed Brighton. Both teams now have a two-week winter break.
Watford keeper Ben Foster said: "The way the goal went in was very disappointing. Maps (Mariappa) is not trying to score an own goal, but that's football. It can go against you sometimes.
"The way we dropped back is a symptom of where we are in the league. We tried to defend what we had and thought we could weather the storm."
Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Watford - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - February 8, 2020 Brighton & Hove Albion's Steven Alzate in action with Watford's Adam Masina Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley
(Reporting by Neil Robinson; Editing by Toby Davis and Hugh Lawson)
Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Watford - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - February 8, 2020 Brighton & Hove Albion's Steven Alzate in action with Watford's Troy Deeney Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Watford - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - February 8, 2020 Watford's Gerard Deulofeu in action with Brighton & Hove Albion's Ezequiel Schelotto REUTERS/David Klein Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Watford - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - February 8, 2020 Watford's Abdoulaye Doucoure celebrates scoring their first goal Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Watford - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - February 8, 2020 Watford's Abdoulaye Doucoure celebrates scoring their first goal with manager Nigel Pearson Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Watford - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - February 8, 2020 Watford's Roberto Pereyra in action REUTERS/David Klein Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Watford - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - February 8, 2020 Brighton & Hove Albion's Glenn Murray reacts after sustaining an injury with Watford's Etienne Capoue REUTERS/David Klein Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Watford - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - February 8, 2020 Watford's Abdoulaye Doucoure scores their first goal REUTERS/David Klein Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Watford - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - February 8, 2020 Watford's Adrian Mariappa in action with Brighton & Hove Albion's Aaron Mooy REUTERS/David Klein
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