Watford 3-2 West Brom: Sema brace and Sarr goal secures Hornets win

Two goals from Ken Sema, either side of an Ismaila Sarr finish, gave the Hornets their first win in six matches and moved them back into fifth place in the table, but they made it anything but comfortable for their fans inside the ground or watching on a screen.

The hosts led at the break after Sema capitalised on a lapse from goalkeeper Josh Griffiths, but a first half with few clear chances was merely the prelude to an increasingly chaotic second period in which neither side had any real control for a lengthy period.

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The Baggies levelled when Conor Townsend reacted quickest when a corner wasn’t cleared, Watford retook the lead when Sarr finished smartly following a mis-hit Ismael Kone shot, only to throw the advantage away again when a dreadful pass from Daniel Bachmann served up a second equaliser for Jed Wallace.

None of the four goals could be described as aesthetically pleasing and neither was what proved to be the winner, Sema chancing his arm with a shot which took a heavy deflection past the wrong-footed Griffiths.

Slaven Bilic made the one change from the starting XI that came within seconds of beating leaders Burnley last time out, with James Morris replacing Hassane Kamara after the left-back sustained an injury in the 1-1 draw at Turf Moor.

The Hornets head coach had suggested in the build-up to the game that Imran Louza may be ready for the full 90 minutes, but he ultimately decided to again have the Moroccan on the bench.

The Baggies also conceded late in their last outing, a 1-1 draw at home to Blackburn Rovers, but Carlos Corberan opted to keep faith with the same starting XI, meaning Nathaniel Chalobah lined up against his former club.

Watford had the first opening in the fourth minute when Sema clipped a free-kick from a central position into the 18-yard box, Kone challenged for the header which was just too far ahead of the stretching Ryan Porteous as it ran across the six-yard box before going behind for a corner.

The visitors set out their stall from the opening stages, content to sit off and let their hosts control possession and try and pounce at pace where the opportunities arose.

What it made for though, was an opening 20 minutes in which the Baggies were comfortable in their shape because much of Watford’s build-up play was too sluggish and ponderous.

Indeed, it was the visitors who had the first clear opening when Marc Albrighton was slipped in on the overlap down the right and his cross picked out the unmarked Brandon Thomas-Asante, who sent a clear header wide of the near post.

It was a good opportunity and Albion were to rue not taking it even more within a couple of minutes when the Hornets went in front.

Mario Gaspar was instrumental in the goal, putting pressure on at a loose ball and showing determination to drive into the area before playing in a low cross from the right which Keinan Davis turned goalwards, keeper Griffiths could only parry the ball back into the six-yard back where a grateful Sema was there to capitalise.

The Baggies had a decent chance to level when Wesley Hoedt was late into a challenge on Albrighton, effectively taking both players out of the game and giving Jed Wallace the freedom of the right flank to attack before pulling the ball back for John Swift, but he fired over the top.

However, the Hornets spurned a great opportunity to double their lead in the 38th minute when Davis pressed Dara O’Shea into conceding possession, Sarr picked up the ball and slipped in the striker who was through one-on-one on the angle but Griffiths was out quickly to make a fine blocking save.

Another chance arose when Kone initially overhit a pass to Sema on the left, but the scorer kept the ball alive and played it back to Morris, who delivered a cross which Davis headed down and wide of the far post.

Kone should then have created a chance for himself, initially doing very well to rob Darnell Furlong of the ball which gave plenty of space to advance into, only to fluff his lines when he got to the edge of the box and was unable to get a shot away.

Corberan sent out his side very early at the start of the second half and made two changes, Grady Diangana and Jayson Molumby replacing Albrighton and Chalobah.

Hamza Choudhury picked up a booking within a minute of the restart for a foul on Swift, and it was the West Brom midfielder’s corner that led to Furlong heading over the first chance of the second period.

The visitors were having more of the play at the start of the second period and it took a good save from Bachmann to keep the Hornets in front when he dived to his right to push away a stinging drive from Swift after Wallace again left Hoedt for dead down the right.

Albion were not to be behind for much longer though.

Following the resultant corner from the right, the Hornets were unable to clear their lines and the ball was bundled back into the six-yard box where Townsend reacted quickest to prod home the leveller.

Watford responded strongly and almost retook the lead when Gaspar played the ball through to Davis, who was able to hold up and possession and Sarr came across him to hit a low drive back across the keeper and watched in dismay as it clipped the far post before going wide.

The chances were coming thick and fast, with Thomas-Asante forcing Bachmann into a smart stop at the other end before he was replaced by Daryl Dike in the 61st minute.

The Baggies had their next opening when Watford were slow to get out from a corner, allowing Swift to cross from the right and Furlong sent a firm header narrowly over.

It was the Hornets who were to have the next opportunity – and they made this one count.

Morris delivered a cross from the right which was headed away to the edge of the area where Kone mis-hit a shot, it struck a defender and Sarr reacted sharply to send a right-foot finish beyond Griffiths to make it 2-1.

Having got the lead back, the Hornets contrived to throw it away when the ball was passed back to Bachmann, he tried to find Choudhury when the pass wasn’t really on, the Hornets midfielder was unable to get to the ball and it was slipped through to Wallace who calmly beat Bachmann to equalise.

Incredibly, the Hornets thought they had retaken the lead almost immediately when Sema came from behind the goal to fire home after Davis had seen an effort saved, only to have his celebrations cut short by the linesman’s flag.

But Sema was to have his second goal as an increasingly chaotic second half continued to unfold, chancing his arm with a left-footed shot which deflected off Pieters and inside the near post of the wrong-footed Griffiths to make it 3-2 to the hosts.

Both sides made a change with ten minutes of normal time remaining; Karlan Grant replacing Swift before Leandro Bacuna came on for Kone. Two-goal Sema then made way for Louza a few minutes later.

Louza’s first involvement was delightful, taking two opponents out of the game on the right touchline to send Sarr away on the right. He bided his time before playing the ball square to Joao Pedro, but the Brazilian was unable to beat Griffiths.

Albion were still chasing an equaliser though, with Molumby firing wide at the other end before Davis made way for Assombalonbga.

The substitute’s first involvement was to be sent scampering away by a Louza slide-rule pass after the Hornets countered, but O’Shea was able to get across to help block the ball behind for a corner.

Six minutes of injury time had afforded the visitors hope of equalising for a third time, but Watford managed to negotiate this to secure a much-needed win.

Watford: Bachmann; Gaspar, Porteous, Hoedt, Morris; Kone (Bacuna 80), Choudhury; Sarr, Pedro, Sema (Louza 84); Davis (Assombalonga 90). Subs not used: Hamer, Araujo, Kabasele, Martins.

West Bromwich Albion: Griffiths; Furlong, O’Shea, Pieters, Townsend; Albrighton (Diangana 46), Chalobah (Molumby 46), Yokuslu, Swift (Grant 80); Wallace, Thomas-Asante (Dike 61). Subs not used: Button, Ajayi, Reach.

Bookings: Hoedt for a foul on Albrighton (31); Choudhury for a foul on Swift (46); Pieters for a foul on Davis (55).

Referee: Tim Robinson.