Match Report: Change of seasons but City still dominante

[Olé]

In September as the sun set on the summer, City lost away at two of the newly relegated Premier League sides in just a week despite outplaying Norwich (3-2) and giving Burnley one of their closest run home games (2-1). As the sun rises on a new summer, City took a third and final trip to one of last seasons Premier League sides and went one better (or worse?) - dominating expensive hosts yet contriving an unimaginable 2-0 loss.

If outplaying Norwich at Carrow Road and battling Champions Burnley at Turf Moor is not enough, City completely controlled the Hornets. Nigel Pearson's men will play a lot worse and win and Watford surely will play better than they did today in a game they won despite City dominating in all phases. Cam Pring's clearance hit Harry Cornick to rebound straight in, then against the run of play keeper Max O'Leary fluffed his lines.

City started brightly and on the front foot at a sun bathed Vicarage Road, in behind their defence repeatedly - only to show a familiar Achilles heel, twice producing poorly worked corners, the second allowing Watford to get out on the counter, off which George Tanner surrendered an easy free kick which Imran Louza lifted into the box and Pedro drilled a tame low shot at goal that Pring got behind to clear - only to hit Cornick and deflect in.

Behind to a freak goal after six minutes and little more than ten and a brilliant cross from Jay DaSilva out on the touchline met near post by Cornick to force a point blank save. On the quarter hour out on the other flank a surging run by Tanner won a corner which was centered for Cornick's rising shot at the near post. Minutes later Sam Bell was sent clear on the left by Pring, crossing to Nahki Wells to head top corner and force the save.

At the midway point of the half Watford had their best chance, Ismaila Sarr stinging the hands of Max O'Leary after a neat one two with Hamza Choudhary. But City were far on top and Andy King's intercepting header put Bell on the run to win another corner. At the half hour intricate play saw Wells hold it up brilliantly outside the box and Tanner carved a path to the byline to cross - but claimed by keeper Bachmann with players closing.

Ref Dean Whitestone was on the receiving end of captain Andi Weimann protests - on the touchline his assistant faced Jason Euell questions - after a brilliant Zak Vyner sliding tackle curtailed Sarr only for the referee to decide the advantage from an earlier clash was only appplcable had Sarr's clear run on goal not been stopped. Instead Vyner's last gasp intervention in miles of space resulted in an outrageous reversal of the advantage.

Before half time Pring headed over at the far post from another DaSilva left wing cross - as City went in miles ahead on possession and shots, but behind on the number that counts. From the restart the away side did everything but score, winning it in midfield from which Bell's brilliant crossfield pass to Weimann put the captain in on goal, looking for an angle before lifting over the defender so Wells could force Bachmann to top wise.

Minutes later and City stole possession yet again, Wells sent away down the right and with time whipped in a cross that Weimann rose to meet but was bundled away for a corner. Then calamity eight minutes into the half - already a freak goal down, a tame low shot from Pedro on the left wing threatened a routine O'Leary save but instead he let it spun through his hands and spooned into the air and in. 2-0 down and all self inflicted.

Star man Alex Scott returned from injury for the last half hour, on for Cornick, to run the game from then on. The coveted midfielder was twice taken down breaking upfield with City on top, Wells sending a curling free kick onto the crossbar. Kal Naismith replaced Andy King and with 20 minutes remaining Pring stole in to volley wildly over at the far post off Matty James right wing cross after Scott's run into the box forced the corner.

In a remarkable match which City continued to dominate despite being two goals down, Pearson went for broke, sending front men Tommy Conway and Anis Mehmeti on for Bell and the only recognised centre back, Vyner. Anonymous Watford finally got their first clear chance of the game Louza going clear from the left only to blaze miles over. The final exchanges were end to end but all the purpose and quality was still from City.

With just five left Conway got down the left to squeeze the ball to the near post where Wells closed in to poke home but got closed down. A minute later and Conway went one better roaring clear on goal to steer a shot across the face of goal which Wells couldn't reach but Weimann returned into the keeper hands. Next Conway nearly threaded Wells clear in the box from the right channel but the striker got tangled up getting the ball out.

It is bordering on the farcical that City could run a game which they were also somehow losing 2-0 - indeed home players seemed better equipped for either feigning injury or in the case of Joao Pedro on 92 - handball, dive to the floor, jump up and throw the ball away - no booking of course, ref Whitestone  didn't want to upset Premier League stock and deferred to the hosts. Pearson and City deserved applause at full time. They got it.

 

O'Leary 5

Tanner 6

DaSilva 6

Vyner 7

Pring 7

James 6

King 6

Weimann 7

Cornick 5

Bell 7

Wells 7

 

Scott 8

Naismith 6

Conway 7

Mehmeti 5

[Major Isewater]

Bachman turned on overdrive - You ain’t seen nothing yet as Hornets keeper thwarts the dominant Robins . 

[Silvio Dante]

30 minutes ago, Major Isewater said:

Bachman turned on overdrive - You ain’t seen nothing yet as Hornets keeper thwarts the dominant Robins . 

I’m already salty that Carry on Csm Pring has been stolen Major so I’m not having this one!

 

[italian dave]

Another opportunity, @Fordy62…………………….

[Edge1981]

As always, a great summary. Shame we couldn’t turn all our effort into goals. Will be an interesting season ahead if we manage to get our recruitment right in the summer!

[headhunter]

I'm thinking Ole is amongst the Cornick detractors! How he can give him a 5 and yet our hugely effectual captain Weimann a 7 is baffling.

[old_eastender]

39 minutes ago, headhunter said:

I'm thinking Ole is amongst the Cornick detractors! How he can give him a 5 and yet our hugely effectual captain Weimann a 7 is baffling.

Both only worth 5 in my opinion. Only positive from Cornick was his good near post header which bought a great save. Rest of the time, playing all over the place but not really linking up with anyone. Also should not let the Watford player get in the shot for their 2nd (even if it should have been saved by Max). 

[Port Said Red]

3 hours ago, Major Isewater said:

Bachman turned on overdrive - You ain’t seen nothing yet as Hornets keeper thwarts the dominant Robins . 

In all seriousness, he made a wonder save in the home game to stop us taking all the points, I don't know why he has been put of the team but my heart sank when I heard them say he was back, maaan and "Taking Care of Business"

[old_eastender]

21 minutes ago, Port Said Red said:

In all seriousness, he made a wonder save in the home game to stop us taking all the points, I don't know why he has been put of the team but my heart sank when I heard them say he was back, maaan and "Taking Care of Business"

Looked vg to me, perhaps one we should be making enquiries about if not been a regular for them, a potential summer signing?

[Kodjias Wrist]

Agree with most of that other than this:

Weimann 7 > 6 

James 6 > 7

Cornick 5 > 6

Conway 7 > 6

Thought the boys gave it their all and can't fault their commitment. I felt when Bell went off the game slowed down, no more getting in behind them like Bell did several times.

[Silvio Dante]

38 minutes ago, old_eastender said:

Looked vg to me, perhaps one we should be making enquiries about if not been a regular for them, a potential summer signing?

He’s their first choice keeper. Got sent off on Good Friday against Huddersfield so Hamer was in Vs Coventry, but straight back in yesterday 

[milo1111]

9 hours ago, Silvio Dante said:

He’s their first choice keeper. Got sent off on Good Friday against Huddersfield so Hamer was in Vs Coventry, but straight back in yesterday 

If only we had a keeper like that. Money talks I suppose 

[Marina's Rolls Royce]

35 minutes ago, milo1111 said:

If only we had a keeper like that. Money talks I suppose 

Yep- mine always says cheerio.