“Callum Lang fires Preston into an early lead after a blocked shot from Johny Kenny falls to him from the resulting corner.”
Pivotal“Edo Kayembe levels the match for Watford from a corner, capping a spell of second-half pressure after the introduction of three half-time substitutes.”
Pivotal“Mamadou Doumbia completes the comeback, finishing off a move assisted by fellow substitute Iker Bravo Solanilla just minutes after Kayembe's leveller.”
Pivotal
Watford
Preston North End
Outstanding performance
Watford•MidfielderPreston made the perfect start, catching Watford cold inside five minutes as Callum Lang converted after Johny Kenny's blocked effort fell kindly from the resulting corner. From there Watford took control territorially, dominating possession at 61% and completing well over 500 passes, but struggled to turn that control into clear-cut chances until a triple substitution at half-time changed the game's rhythm. Edo Kayembe's 69th-minute leveller, arriving from another corner, swung the momentum decisively, and substitute Mamadou Doumbia - assisted by fellow half-time introduction Iker Bravo - completed the turnaround just seven minutes later. Preston will rue their profligacy in front of goal despite matching Watford shot for shot, while the hosts' patience and bench impact proved the difference in a result that eases pressure on their season and piles more scrutiny on Preston's inconsistent form.
How entertaining was this match?
Jusef Erabi's header is blocked.
Luca Kjerrumgaard comes on for Mamadou Doumbia.
Thierry Small comes on for Alfie Devine.
Delano Burgzorg takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Mamadou Doumbia takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Mamadou DoumbiaShot - Mamadou Doumbia Head Shot Goal
assist: Iker Bravo
Goal! Mamadou Doumbia scores to make it 2-1, assisted by Iker Bravo Solanilla.
Liam Gibbs is on, and Leo Leroy is off.
On comes Jusef Erabi, and Callum Lang goes off.
Edo Kayembe takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Callum Lang takes a shot with his head but misses.
Delano Burgzorg's left-footed shot is saved.
Edo KayembeEdo Kayembe scores with a left-footed shot.
Goal! Edo Kayembe scores, making it 1-1.
Corner awarded.
Lewis GibsonYellow CardLewis Gibson receives a yellow card.
On Stanley Mills, off Andrija Vukcevic.
Delano Burgzorg comes on for Johny Kenny.
Andrija VukcevicYellow CardYellow card for Andrija Vukcevic.
Jordan Zemura replaces Omar Traore.
Harry Clarke takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Matthew Pollock takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Shot - Harry Clarke Head Shot Missed
Johny Kenny takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Johny Kenny takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Iker Bravo Solanilla is on, and Martin Ismael Payero is off.
Stephy Mavididi comes on for Amin Nabizada.
Othmane Maamma is on, and Rocco Vata is off.
Mamadou Doumbia takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
The first half ends with a score of 0-1.
Edo Kayembe takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Offside.
Kevin Keben Biakolo attempts a header but misses the shot.
Amin Nabizada takes a shot with his right foot, but it is blocked.
Rocco Vata takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Johny Kenny takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Alfie Devine takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Leo Leroy takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Johny Kenny's right-footed shot is blocked.
Corner awarded.
Edo Kayembe takes a left-footed shot, but it is saved.
Offside.
Callum Lang's right-footed shot is saved.
Amin Nabizada takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Corner awarded.
Omar Traore takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Alfie Devine takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Offside.
Callum LangCallum Lang scores with a right-footed shot.
Jordan Thompson takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Goal! Callum Lang scores, making it 1-0.
Johny Kenny's right-footed shot is blocked.
Corner awarded.
Rocco Vata takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Kick-off! The referee is Farai Hallam.
Watford host bottom-of-the-table Preston North End in a Championship clash between two teams desperate to end their slumps. With Watford winless in three and Preston mired in a five-game losing streak, Vicarage Road could see plenty of nervy football and a manager under serious scrutiny.
