Nottingham Forest took their 100% league record to fellow pacesetters Watford in the Championship's lunchtime kickoff on Sunday.
Both sides remain unbeaten after a 1-1 draw at Vicarage Road where Andy Reid fizzed the hosts ahead, before former Forest man Lewis McGugan curled home an unstoppable free kick after the break.
Here, Sports Mole picks the bones out of an thoroughly enjoyable 90 minutes.
Match statistics:
Watford:
Shots 20
On target 7
Possession 56%
Corners 6
Fouls 8
Forest:
Shots 17
On target 7
Possession 44%
Corners 4
Fouls 20
Was the result fair?
Over the 90 minutes, yes. Forest were excellent in restricting Watford's attack in the first half but were on the back foot after the interval. Overall a fantastic match for the neutral as both teams really went for it in the final stages and either side could have won it.
Watford's performance
The international feel of Watford's starting lineup gives them a cultured mentality and they certainly know how to play good football. The division's joint top scorer Troy Deeney had a quiet afternoon, spurning his only chance by somehow heading wide from six yards out when unmarked. At the back, Gianfranco Zola's three centre-backs and wing-backs seem to be working well together. He will however be angry at Marco Cassetti's loose pass which gifted Forest possession prior to Reid's fine strike.
Forest's performance
Billy Davies's men showed why they're flying so high with a solid away performance. The centre-back partnership of Jack Hobbs and Kelvin Wilson looks assured and with the dynamic duo of Adlene Guedioura and Henri Lansbury in front, they're a tough outfit to crack. Lansbury and Ishmael Miller hit the post and Forest could have won the game. They'll definitely take a draw though from what is one of the toughest trips of the season.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Diego Fabbrini: The Watford number 20 saw so much of the ball today in his first start and for the most part was clever in his use of it. He gave Adlene Guedioura a torrid time all game and should keep his place in the team next week.
Biggest gaffe
A clear winner here in Ishmael Miller, who was a second-half substitute and at one moment broke clear of the Watford midfield and had just one yellow shirt in front of him. Captain Chris Cohen made a brilliant run to support him but was completely ignored by Miller, who dilly-dallied before letting off a weak shot.
Referee performance
A busy afternoon for Oliver Langford as he dished out seven bookings in a passionate affair. He could have booked Cohen earlier but overall was refreshingly calm as both sides went all-out for the win.
What next?
Watford: Next up for the Hornets is another home game against Bournemouth in the League Cup on Tuesday before a trip to fellow high-flyers Blackpool in the league on Saturday.
Forest: Forest, meanwhile, welcome Millwall in the Cup before going to Wigan on Saturday.
Pascal Lemesre
