Watford twice came from behind, thanks to goals from Troy Deeney and Matej Vydra, to claim a 2-2 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers

Benik Afobe had put the home side in front but an excellent goal from Matej Vydra ensured the Golden Boys were level at half time.

Wolves regained the lead shortly after the restart when Bakary Sako’s shot deflected into the Watford goal off his teammate Jack Price but again the Golden Boys hit back as Troy Deeney levelled the game.

It could have gone either way at that point but instead of one set of supporters going home jubilant, both went home grumbling at referee Brendan Malone.

He first sent off Tommie Hoban for a questionable second bookable offence before Sako was shown a controversial straight red card for a push on Fernando Forestieri.

It could have been a cagey affair given both sides are in the hunt for promotion but it was anything but.

Slavisa Jokanovic made two changes to the starting XI which began the midweek win against Fulham.

Daniel Pudil and Marco Motta dropped to the bench and were replaced by Hoban and Juan Carlos Paredes. The Hornets started in a 4-4-2 diamond formation.

In front of a raucous home crowd Watford had started solidly but then came a defining 90-second period of the first half.

Firstly, Almen Abdi suffered an injury and had to be replaced by Gianni Munari. And then Wolves went in front in the 14th minute. 

Jokanovic said prior to the game that Watford had no space for mistakes during the final 11 matches of the season but they made a big one at Molineux.

A long pass forward from Kevin McDonald wasn’t intercepted by the visitors’ defence and that allowed Afobe time to take a touch and drill his shot under Gomes.

The home side had momentum. Henry forced Heurelho Gomes into a routine low save with a shot from distance whilst Wolves goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszcak did the same to deny Adlene Guedioura.

The Hornets laboured through the opening half-and-hour. Their passing lacked incisiveness whereas Wolves moved the ball quickly into wide areas and tested the home side’s full-backs.

However, Watford’s players have the ability to produce Premier League quality moments. And one of those got Jokanovic’s side level.

It was a simple but exquisite counter-attack. A clearance was collected by Deeney just inside his half; he looked up and saw the run of Matej Vydra.

Deeney drilled a perfect pass towards the Czech Republic international, his first touch took the ball into space and he confidently finished past Kuszcak from 20 yards.

Wolves responded and created two opportunities to retake the lead. Both came from crosses, the first was steered wide by Rajiv van La Parra and the second required Gomes to tip over a header from the dangerous Afobe.

The final chance of the half went to Watford. Watson played a pass behind the Wolves defence for Vydra but his first-time shot was straight at Kuszcak who saved.

The half time break reinvigorated Wolves. Kenny Jackett’s side started the second period at a brisk pace and were rewarded with a second goal.

A corner into the Watford penalty area was headed away by Guedioura but the ball rolled to Sako.

The winger was given time to take a touch and fire towards goal. His shot hit Price and the ball bounced in the corner of the Watford goal.

Wolves instantly went for a third. Henry directed a header inches wide of Gomes’ post before the Watford goalkeeper had to quickly react to save from van La Parra.

The Hornets’ threat on the counter attack had diminished in the early stages of the half but they almost snatched an equaliser.

A passing move resulted in the ball being crossed into the area by Guedioura and Watson’s shot rattled the crossbar before bouncing clear.

At the other end, Wolves continued to pepper the Watford penalty area with crosses and a delivery from van La Parra was almost turned into his own net by Cathcart.

But, just as they had done in the first half, the Hornets hit the hosts with a sucker-punch. Guedioura collected the ball in midfield and curled a pass behind the Wolves defence for Deeney.

The striker was under pressure and, if he was that way inclined, could have gone down. However, he stayed on his feet and was able to guide his shot past Kuszcak.

Wolves were rattled and Watford had chances to take the lead. Substitute Fernando Forestieri wasted a presentable opportunity before Daniel Tozser curled a free-kick harmlessly over.

Munari then came close with a header from a Deeney cross which drifted agonisingly past the post.

The Hornets felt they should have been awarded when Forestieri tumbled in the penalty area. Referee Brendan Malone waved away the appeals.

And then the golden chance for Watford to take three points arrived. The Golden Boys forced Wolves into a mistake in defence and the ball dropped at the feet of Forestieri ten yards out.

He was at a slight angle but had a clear sight of goal. However, he blazed well, well wide.

The game then ended in controversy. Van la Parra was brought down by Hoban who was shown a controversial second yellow card by the referee.

The resultant free-kick was cleared and Forestieri then fouled Sako. The winger reacted with a push that Forestieri exaggerated but it was enough for the Mali international to be dismissed.

Forestieri was surrounded and an unsavoury melee between both sets of players broke out. Forestieri was shown a yellow card for the original tackle and no further action was taken.

It was a disappointing way to end what had been a pulsating second half but the draw keeps Watford in third spot, however, one point now separates the top five sides in the division.

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Kuszczak; Doherty, Batth, Stearman, Hause; McDonald, Price, van La Parra, Henry (Doyle 79), Sako; Afobe.

Wolverhampton Wanderers substitutes: McCarey, Golbourne, Edwards, Ebanks-Landell, Jacobs, Dicko.

Watford: Gomes; Paredes (Motta 87), Angella, Cathcart, Hoban; Guedioura, Watson (Forestieri 61), Tozser; Abdi (Munari 13); Deeney, Vydra.

Watford substitutes: Bond, Layun, Pudil, Anya.

Referee: Brendan Malone

Attendance: 23,146 (2,208)