Watford and West Brom played out a 0-0 draw in the Hornets’ first home game back in the Premier League at Vicarage Road.
It was an afternoon lacking much goalmouth action, though the hosts will feel that they had enough of the possession to win the game.
Odion Ighalo went close for Watford in the first half with a rising drive, before crosses from Allan Nyom and Ikechi Anya went flashing across the box in the second. It was the Baggies who had the best chance to win it though, as Saido Berahino headed wide from six yards.
The game petered out in the end though, and neither side will be hugely disappointed to have another point on the board.
Watford
Heurelho Gomes – 6: West Brom did not have a single attempt on target, so a very quiet afternoon for Gomes.
Allan Nyom – 8: One of the two best players on the pitch. Defensively outstanding and a threat going forward.
Sebastien Prodl – 6: Solid as ever, though not called into action all that much.
Craig Cathcart – 7: His transformation into a top class defender continues.
Ikechi Anya – 6: Always a threat but continues to frustrate with his poor final delivery. Worth persevering with, but probably in a more advanced role.
Etienne Capoue – 8: Man of the match. The Frenchman’s class shone through, particularly in the second half. Utterly imperious, he won and ran with the ball beautifully.
Valon Behrami – 6: A quieter afternoon for the Swiss, although he still did his protective job well.
Miguel Layun – 6: Was quiet before being subbed. Failed to keep hold of the ball as well as he would have liked but worked hard.
Odion Ighalo – 7: Held the ball up well and showed signs of chemistry with Troy Deeney. Could not quite work a clear opening but missed a couple of half chances.
Jose Manual Jurado – 7: Clearly a class act, though not everything he tried came off. A wonderful piece of skill followed up by a wayward shot summed up his afternoon.
Troy Deeney – 7: Gave the defenders a tough ride but did nott really have a presentable chance. Will be eager to get that first Premier League goal.
Substitutes
Almen Abdi – 6: Not at his best in the wide role he was deployed in. Will now be looking to get over his injury worries and start games.
Steven Berghuis – N/A: Came on late and did not really impact.
West Bromwich Albion
Boaz Myhill – 6: Was not kept too busy as Watford failed to penetrate in the final third. Made a couple of decent saves from long-range.
Craig Dawson – 6: Limited going forward, but managed to largely nullify the threat of Anya down the left.
Gareth McAuley – 7: Towering in the air, he, and his defensive partner, allowed nothing to pass all afternoon.
Jonas Olsson – 7: Read McAuley. The Swede was powerful aerially and a large reason why the Baggies left with a point.
Chris Brunt – 6: Did not look out of place at left-back but failed to offer as much going forward as he would have liked.
James Morrison – 6: Helped deal with the threat of compatriot Anya well too, but again lacked enterprise in the final third.
Darren Fletcher – 7: Looked the classiest that the visitors had to offer. Put a good foot in and was able to carry the ball forward too.
Claudio Yacob – 6: Was not quite as aggressive as in his cameo against Manchester City last week, but Fletcher surely needs a more forward-thinking partner.
Craig Gardner – 6: Offered little going forward other than one first half foray. Does not look a wide player.
Rickie Lambert – 5: Unhelpfully asked to chase and win every long ball that West Brom defenders sent forward, but failed to make any sort of impact.
Saido Berahino – 6: Was very quiet but most of the little West Brom did going forward came through him. Should have won it with a late chance.
Substitutes
Salomon Rondon – 7: Threatened with his pace but was wayward in front of goal. Looks a better bet than Lambert.
James McClean – 6: Did not make much of an impact although drove the team up the field at times.
Callum McManaman – N/A: Was not on long enough to contribute.
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