Crystal Palace battle for Watford draw

Crystal Palace have battled back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw at Watford in the Championship.

A win would have sent either side up to second place in the table, but Kevin Phillips's first goal for the Eagles secured a share of the spoils at Vicarage Road.

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The hosts took the lead in the seventh minute when Almen Abdi cut in from the left to fire in a low shot past Julian Speroni from 18 yards.

Their advantage was doubled with 17 minutes on the clock as Nathaniel Chalobah reacted quickest to head in Marco Cassetti's scuffed shot following a corner.

© PA Photos

The Palace fightback started just after the hour as Peter Ramage poked the ball home through a number of bodies from close range.

Ian Holloway's side then grabbed an equaliser with 20 minutes left to play when substitute Phillips slotted in at the back post from Ashley Richards's cross.