Those inside Vicarage Road this evening witnessed a Christmas miracle as Watford somehow went into half-time level with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Unlike their previous showing on television, there was no magic from the Hornets’ outfield players but goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes proved his team’s saviour on several occasions.

Watford have recognised a few of their former greats in recent weeks. Graham Taylor and Sir Elton John had stands named after them and they attempted to recruit Nigel Gibbs on to their coaching staff. And the Golden Boys were in a giving mood for another former fans’ favourite once again today as they allowed Kenny Jackett’s men to have a host of glorious chances in the first quarter.

The Hornets would have been at least 3-0 down inside 20 minutes had it not been for Gomes.

A poor pass from Lloyd Doyley contributed to Juan Carlos Paredes being outmuscled wide right in the build up to the first chance, as Rajiv La Parra sent a shot from the edge of the area wide.

Dominic Iorfa should have at least tested Gomes when he sliced wide and moments later the former Spurs goalkeeper produced a fine reflex save to deny Dave Edwards from close range.

Gomes then made three stops in not as many minutes. Kortney Hause’s long-range strike was heading for the top corner until the shot-stopper tipped it over. La Parra had a low drive turned around the post and the Hornets’ ‘keeper then parried away after a corner was flicked on at the near post.

When Gomes finally was beaten ten minutes before the break, Nouha Dicko’s shot when one-on-one went wide.

Troy Deeney, who was one of the few players to come out of the opening half with any credit, Daniel Tozser and the poor Paredes had efforts blocked but the Hornets never looked like breaking down Wolves.

Poor in defence and in possession, things can surely only improve in the second half for Watford.

Slavisa Jokanovic made three changes to his starting XI this evening. With Gabriele Angella suspended, Doyley came into the back three and Gianni Munari replaced the dynamic Adlene Guedioura. Paredes impressed enough during his second-half display at Reading to earn a recall at the expense of Daniel Pudil, with Ikechi Anya switching to the left.

Watford: Gomes; Doyley, Cathcart, Bassong; Paredes, Munari, Tozser, Abdi, Anya; Deeney, Vydra.

Subs: Bond, Hoban, Pudil, Guedioura, Dyer, Forestieri, Ighalo.

Wolverhampton Wanderers line-up: Ikeme; Iorfa, Batth, Stearman, Hause; McDonald, Price; van La Parra, Edwards, Sako; Dicko.

Subs: Kuszczak, Graham, Henry, Clarke, Evans, Rowe, Ebanks-Landell.

Referee: Graham Scott.