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Live Commentary: Watford 0-0 West Bromwich Albion - as it happened

Sports Mole brings you live text commentary of the Premier League match between Watford and West Bromwich Albion at Vicarage Road.
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Watford and West Bromwich Albion have shared a goalless draw in their Premier League clash at Vicarage Road this afternoon.

The Hornets dominated the match and had a number of shots on goal, but they were unable to seriously trouble Boaz Myhill.

Despite being outplayed, the visitors almost won the game late on, but Saido Berahino could only place his header wide of the post with the goal gaping.

Find out how the action unfolded below.


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Hello everyone! The Premier League made a welcome return last weekend and we have got another packed schedule today. Here, our focus will be on the events taking place at Vicarage Road, as West Bromwich Albion make the trip to Watford.



The Hornets almost made the perfect start on their return to the top flight last Saturday at Goodison Park. They were in front twice against Everton and looked well on their way to the three points, until a late leveller from Arouna Kone salvaged a 2-2 draw for the Toffees.

However, it was not the best start for Albion, who slipped to a 3-0 defeat against Manchester City at the beginning of the week. From the moment that Yaya Toure's deflected effort found the net it was one-way traffic and Tony Pulis will demand a response from his team this afternoon.

Okay, we've got lots more to talk about between now and kick off, but first it's time to check out the team news, which was announced a few moments ago.

WATFORD: Nyom, Cathcart, Prodl, Anya, Behrami, Capoue, Ighalo, Jurado, Layun, Deeney

WEST BROM: Myhill, Dawson, McAuley, Olsson, Brunt, Gardner, Fletcher, Yacob, Morrison, Berahino, Lambert

WATFORD SUBS: Gilmartin, Angella, Holebas, Watson, Berghuis, Abdi, Vydra

WEST BROM SUBS: Rose, Chester, Lescott, McClean, McManaman, Anichebe, Rondon

So, there we have our teams for this afternoon's match. Watford have made just one change from the draw against Everton, as Odion Ighalo is rewared for his goal with a start. He comes in for Jose Holebas, which means that Ikechi Anya will slot in at left back.

Meanwhile, Albion have made three changes from their opening match. Gareth McAuley, Jonas Olsson and Claudio Yacob all start, with James Chester, Joleon Lescott and James McClean dropping to the bench. There is also a place among the subsitites for record signing Salomon Rondon, after the striker arrived too late to play against City.

There haven't been too many people that have tipped Watford to stay in the top flight, following their return to the Premier League, but they may have proved some doubters wrong with their performance at Goodison last Saturday.

Miguel Layun (3rd L) of Watford celebrates scoring his team's first goal with his team mates during the Barclays Premier League match between Everton and Watford at Goodison Park on August 8, 201© Getty Images


They got off to the perfect start, with Miguel Layun firing them into the lead just 13 minutes into the match. Everton struggled to respond, but a great strike from Ross Barkley drew them level in the second half. It took just a few minutes for the Hornets to retake the lead when Odion Ighalo found the bottom corner, but Arouna Kone's clinical finish ensured that the points were shared.

Quique Sanchez Flores may have been slightly disappointed that his side were unable to hold on to the three points, but he will have seen plenty of positives to suggest that they are good enough to stay in the Premier League.

It's worth remembering that the Hornets have made 10 new signings since earning promotion, in addition to changing their manager. Six of those players made their debuts at Goodison Park, with the likes of Sebastian Prodl and Etienne Capoue producing impressive displays.

Having found the back of the net twice, they have given an early indication that they may have enough goals to battle the drop. Odion Ighalo grabbed 20 last season and he came off the bench to score a superb effort. However, their main man is expected to be the captain Troy Deeney, who has scored 20 goals or more in the past three seasons. It will be harder for him to replicate that goalscoring form in the Premier League, but he certainly has the quality.

Things didn't go quite so well for West Brom, in their first league match of the new campaign on Monday evening. They were given a tough opening fixture against Manchester City and they never came close to troubling their opponents in a 3-0 defeat.

Vincent Kompany of Manchester City scores their third goal during the Barclays Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Manchester City at The Hawthorns on August 10, 2015© Getty Images


The first goal that they conceded was a fortunate strike from Yaya Toure that took a couple of deflections on its way into the net, but there could be no complaints about the second, as the Ivorian curled a stunning strike into the top corner.

Vincent Kompany sealed the points with a near-post header from a corner in the second half to make it a night to forget for Albion. They barely gave Joe Hart anything to worry about and Tony Pulis would have been disappointed at the way his team sat back and allowed their opponents space and time on the ball.

The only thing that fans had to cheer about on Monday, was the club-record signing of Venezuelan striker Salomon Rondon from Zenit St Petersburg. He is believed to have cost the club a fee of £12m and scored 20 goals in Russia last season. Fans will be hoping that he is not just at the club to replace Saido Berahino, who continues to be linked with a move before the transfer window closes.

West Brom are currently on a six-game unbeaten run against Watford, although they have not played each other in five years, since a 1-1 draw in the Championship. In fact, the Hornets have won just one of the last 15 matches between the teams, which was an FA Cup tie in 2003.

PREDICTION: Watford can expect a great reception from the home fans in their first match of the season at Vicarage Road. Their draw against Everton has given them a solid platform to build upon and I think we will see them take the game to West Brom. The Baggies, meanwhile, were poor against City and they will surely put up more of a battle today. It could be tight and cagey, but I just fancy Watford to win, with 2-1 the final scoreline this afternoon.

With just five minutes to go until kick off, make sure you check out our video preview of today's match.


KICKOFF! We are underway at Vicarage Road!

SHOT! Watford have made a bright start to the match and they have the first shot on goal this afternoon. It's Ighalo with the effort from range, but his strike is his far too close to Myhill, who makes a comfortable save.

SHOT! It's all Watford at the moment and they are looking dangerous whenever they come forward. This time Layun swings in a cross that Deeney rises highest to meet, but the striker can only flick his header wide of the far post.

The Hornets are playing some good stuff here and they will be hoping to take advantage while they are on top. There have been a few games this past week where teams have not been able to make their early chances count, before ending up regretting them later.

CHANCE! Deeney is looking really dangerous and the striker has another glimpse of the goal. He is picked out by Jurado's fine cross from the left, before seeing his powerful downward header blocked by Olsson just in front of his own keeper.

The Baggies have really struggled to cope with the pressure put on them by the hosts, but they have just started to see a bit more of the ball. They even manage their first shot on goal, with Lambert seeing a low effort from range blocked by the defence.

SHOT! Deeney looks desperate to get on the scoresheet this afternoon and he shows great pace to latch onto a long ball over the top. He is at a tight angle towards the right of the box, but he still fires in a low strike, that is seen all the way and gathered by Myhill.

Watford will be very pleased at the start they have made this afternoon and they have racked up nearly 70% of the possession. The crowd are also getting behind them and a huge roar goes around Vicarage Road every time they come forward.

SHOT! The chances keep piling up for Watford, but this wasn't a clear-cut opening. Capoue did well to charge down the right, before whipping a cross to the back post for Jurado. The Spaniard then tries his luck with a first-time volley, but he gets slightly over the ball and hooks it well over the bar.

Not much has changed in the match over the past few minutes, with the hosts still well on top. Some of their attacking play has been a joy to watch, but in truth, Myhill has not yet been seriously tested.

This is the best move of the game by far from the visitors. The ball is worked to down the right and he whips a great low ball across the six-yard box. However, Nyom gets back well to turn the ball behind and from the resulting corner Berahino is flagged offside.

SAVE! What a superb counter attack from Watford. They easily cut out a corner and send plenty of men forward. Nyom then picks the ball up just inside his own half and charges towards goal, before unleashing a stinging drive from range that is punched to safety by Myhill.

YELLOW CARD! Olsson picks up a booking for hauling down Ighalo just outside the box. It has given Watford a free kick in a good position and it looks like Jurado will take it.

CLOSE! Jurado does indeed take the set piece and his curling effort is well struck, but heads just a few inches wide of the post. Myhill had sprung all the way across his line and I think the keeper may have had it covered if it was on target.

It's always refreshing to see a team come up from the Championship and play attacking football in the Premier League and Watford have certainly done that today. They will be slightly disappointed if they head into the break without a goal, as they have completely dominated this half.

Even though they have been thoroughly outplayed, West Brom have managed to deal with everything that has come their way. Their back four are certainly being made to work hard, against a team with plenty of pace in the attack.

SHOT! Deeney and Ighalo have linked up brilliantly today and they combine on the edge of the box once again. It's Ighalo who is slipped in by his captain at a tight angle, and he sees his powerful strike towards the near post head inches over the bar. At first glance it looked as if the keeper had got a slight touch, but the referee instead gives a goal kick.

There is going to be one minute of stoppage time.

HALF-TIME: Watford 0-0 West Brom

It's half time at Vicarage Road and it's still goalless between Watford and West Brom. The Hornets have been well on top and deserve to be in front, but they have not been able to seriously trouble Boaz Myhill in the opposition goal.

West Brom's Saido Berahino takes on Valon Berami of Watford on August 15, 2015© Getty Images


The stats at the break sum up just how dominant Watford have been. They have enjoyed a massive 62% of the possession and have had eight attempts on goal, with three of those hitting the target. West Brom have only managed three shots, although none of those have posed any sort of danger.

You do wonder if we will see any changes at half time made by either manager. Tony Pulis will have been angry at the way his side squandered possession and they have shown no threat as an attacking force. McClean or McManaman would certainly add more danger on the wings, while new signing Rondon could be brought on for his debut to give the Watford defence something to think about.

RESTART! The Baggies take the kick off for the second half and get the action back underway!

SHOT! Jurado looks like the sort of player that Watford's fans are going to love this season. He has looked great all afternoon and he has the first attempt of the second half, with a curling strike from just outside the box that flies wide of the far post.

SHOT! Ighalo continues to cause problems for the West Brom defence and he takes down a long ball just outside the box, before exchanging passes with Deeney. He then gets the ball onto his left foot and hammers in a powerful drive that is well held by the keeper.

There is almost a moment of real controversy as Berahino goes down inside the box after Gomes came rushing off his line. For a moment it looked as if a penalty may have been given, but the referee instead gave a free kick to Watford, with the replays suggesting that Berahino went down rather easily.

SUB! Watford make the first change of the match, with Layun heading off to be replaced by Abdi.

SHOT! Watford keep up the pressure and they create another decent opening. Deeney rises to meet a cross at the back post, and his header is blocked in front of the keeper, before the ball is scrambled clear. Ighalo then has a low drive from the edge of the box which is blocked by the defence.

SUB! It's a first change for the Baggies and Rondon comes on for his debut in place of Gardner.

SHOT! Rondon is straight into the action and he latches onto Dawson's long ball down the right, before driving towards the box. The striker then cuts the ball back onto his left foot and tries to pick out the corner, but he gets underneath the strike and hammers it into the stands.

YELLOW CARD! Lambert goes in with a late tackle on Behrami and picks up a deserved booking from the referee.

CHANCE! Another fine build up from Watford sees Abdi pick up the ball in space and float a lovely cross into the box. Deeney then rises to meet it and flicks his header wide, but Ighalo was perhaps better positioned just behind him.

SUB! Lambert has had a disappointing afternoon and he departs the action to be replaced by McClean.

SHOT! The Hornets are certainly not shy about trying their luck from range and Deeney goes for goal from all of 30 yards out. He makes decent contact with the ball and there's plenty of power on it, but it looks like it is heading just wide of the post as Myhill gets down to save.

SHOT! Yet again Deeney hammers in a strike from just outside the box after the ball breaks to him kindly. However, he ends up hammering it well over the bar, as Watford's search for a breakthrough goal continues.

It just seems that Watford are running out of steam, after spending so long trying to find the net. Their build up and general play in the midfield has been fine, but a lack of killer instinct in the final third looks as if it may cost them today.

MISS! What a huge chance for West Brom to win the match. McClean's cross from the left is headed back across goal by McAuley to Berahino. He is just a few yards out and completely unmarked at the back post, but somehow he puts the ball wide with the goal gaping.

SUB! Ighalo has put in a good shift for Watford today, but he is heading off to be replaced by Berghuis.

CLOSE! The Baggies come close to scoring again and they are ending the match strongly. They win a free kick 25 yards out from goal that McClean bends in with his left foot, but the ball heads just inches wide of the post, with Gomes left rooted to the spot.

It's end to end at the moment, as both teams sense that they could score a late winner. Albion have looked very good in these past 10 minutes and Rondon has added some much needed pace and quality since his arrival.

SUB! It's a late change for the Baggies, with McManaman coming on for Berahino.

There are going to be at least three minutes of stoppage time.

YELLOW CARD! We're into injury time and Nyom is the first Watford player to be shown a card this afternoon for a foul on McClean.

FULL-TIME: Watford 0-0 West Brom

The final whistle blows and it has finished all square between Watford and West Brom. The hosts were the better team for large periods of the match, but Saido Berahino missed the best chance late on for the Baggies.

That's all we've got time for at Vicarage Road. We'll have player ratings and analysis coming up for you soon, as well as all of the results from today's games. Until then, goodbye!

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David Marshall of Cardiff celebrates after Peter Whittingham scores his team's opening goal of the game during the Premier League match between Cardiff City and West Bromwich Albion at Cardiff City Stadium on December 14, 2013
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