West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Watford: Ismaila Sarr scores from own half, then misses penalty

Ismaila Sarr scored a spectacular David Beckham-style chip from his personal half however then had a late penalty saved as Watford drew with West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns.

That got here towards the run of play, Watford keeper Daniel Bachmann having already been saved busy, with one very good save from Darnell Furlong’s volley and two from Karlan Grant – and there have been extra to comply with as new man Jed Wallace once more confirmed his class.

However Albion discovered an equaliser two minutes into first-half added time when Grady Diangana’s tremendous lofted move discovered Grant, who took the ball down excellently earlier than ending right-footed from shut vary.

Watford remained on the again foot for a lot of the second half, but they got here closest to profitable it when Sarr went down simply within the Albion penalty space underneath stress from Semi Ajayi.

However Sarr’s spot-kick was tame, struck far too feebly to Button’s left – and the Albion keeper swooped to save lots of.

It leaves Rob Edwards’ Watford with 4 factors from two video games, going into their subsequent sport – after they host one other aspect with 4 factors from two video games – Vincent Kompany’s Burnley, at Vicarage Highway on Friday.

They may each have an early likelihood to overhaul Blackburn Rovers, the one aspect with a 100% file within the Championship after two video games.

Steve Bruce’s Albion, against this, have now misplaced simply three of their previous 14 Championship video games – and, though they’ve solely drawn the primary two matches, the Baggies have come from behind in each.

And, though they have been hampered by the lack of huge cash January signing Daryl Dike with a thigh damage, they need to nonetheless have loads to really feel optimistic about after they head to Blackburn on Sunday.

From the Sarr-blime to the ridiculous…

Sarr stole the present and made all of the headlines as he unleashed his early contender for purpose of the season with such a stunningly audacious piece of impudence – a surprise strike that drew comparability with some other purpose on this very restricted style.

A younger Beckham’s entrance on to soccer’s huge stage, with that tremendous effort at Selhurst Park in August 1996 possibly tops the invoice,.

Solely simply forward of comparable items of brilliance from the likes of Xavi Alonso, Charlie Adam, Wayne Rooney or Nayim (from the midway line) for Actual Zaragoza, to price Arsenal the 1995 European Cup Winners’ Cup.

However none of them, having netted from almost 60 yards, then went on and missed from 12 yards in the identical sport.

Simply as Sarr’s purpose was chic, his missed penalty was bordering on the ridiculous – as poor a spot kick as could possibly be imagined.

‘A second of genius’

West Bromwich Albion boss Steve Bruce advised BBC Sport:

“Typically you do not all the time get what you deserve, however that is pretty much as good as I’ve seen us play and to do it towards such aspect made it really feel even higher.

“It is very irritating that we did not go on to win but it surely was nonetheless an incredible response from the gamers after conceding such a surprise purpose towards the run of play.

“It is determined information that we have now misplaced Daryl Dike with a thigh damage in coaching. He so desires to play for his nation on the World Cup, he is a well-liked lad and he knew as quickly as he’d performed it.”

Watford supervisor Rob Edwards advised BBC Sport:

“It was an unbelievable strike from Sarr. As quickly because it left his foot I knew it was in.

“A second of genius. It is fairly particular once you see a purpose like that – and towards the run of play too.

“It could have been fairly unjust if we had nicked that second purpose from the penalty as Albion have been up for it and have been clearly the higher aspect. However I would have taken it.”