Had today’s opposition manager not been Watford legend Kenny Jackett then you imagine Fernando Forestieri’s playacting against Wolverhampton Wanderers would have been highlighted further, received even more criticism and gained more attention from national media.

This afternoon's game finished 2-2 after goals Benik Afobe and Jack Price had been cancelled out by strikes from Mataj Vydra and Troy Deeney. But it was closing minutes the game will be remembered for.

Hornets defender Tommie Hoban was dismissed after receiving a second booking for persistent fouling on Rajiv van la Parra and then Forestieri fouled Sako.

Words were exchanged between the pair and the Hornets attacker pushed the Mali international before surprisingly tumbling to the ground holding his face.

Sako was bizarrely sent off while Forestieri was booked for the original foul.

Jackett did describe the forward’s reaction as embarrassing when speaking to radio journalists but was more restraint when conducting his post-match press conference with the written media. 

“For a fellow professional I think that is poor,” former Watford player and manager Jackett said.

“I felt Hoban on van La Parre it (the red card) was repeated fouling. The referee didn’t have any choice but to send him off.

“Forestieri on Sako wasn’t a red card. Forestieri has thrown himself to the floor and the referee has sent Sako off. I didn’t think it was a red.”

He continued: “You are looking at maybe raised hands but that wasn’t the case, I wouldn’t even say it was a coming together.

“Forestieri has thrown himself to the floor but there is no contact, no raised arm and there is no intent. We will appeal. I was close to it and I have had the benefit of seeing it again on the video.”

The draw leaves Watford third in the Championship table, however, they are level on points with leaders Bournemouth, second-place side Derby County and fourth in the table Norwich City.

“It (the Championship) is exciting,” Jackett, whose Wolves side are eighth, said. “I am really pleased we are in and around it. Looking at the top sides we are capable but we have to make sure we are consistent.

“There are 30 points to play for and we will need a good total of those but we are capable of getting them.”

He continued: “It was a very good game today. We have taken the lead twice and were looking to follow that through.

“Credit to Watford though, they were not the top scorers in the division for no reason. Their forward play and their comfort on the ball is very good.

“I like the way they play, they play the right way. They are always an attacking threat and I thought at 2-1 up we needed the third goal.

“We had chances but it didn’t come. There were very good performances in my team and generally we played well. It was a good game between two good sides.”