It wouldn’t have been mathematically all over if Watford hadn’t won tonight but they knew they had to deliver three points to stay within striking distance of the play-offs – and deliver they did by beating Wrexham 3-1 at Vicarage Road.
The Hornets were on top from the opening whistle and capitalised on their good start when Marc Bola emphatically finished off a fine counter-attacking move.
The Red Dragons, who still occupy the all-important sixth spot in the table, were abject in the first half and were 2-0 down when Edo Kayembe was afforded far too much space to curl in a second before the break.
However, the complexion of the game changed within minutes of the restart when Max Cleworth headed home a near-post corner to half the deficit.
Some nervy moments followed for the hosts but they dug in and showed resilience before sealing the points in memorable fashion when substitute Edoardo Bove scored his first goal since returning to football following a cardiac arrest.
Here are five talking points we’ve picked out from tonight’s game. Tell us what you think by using the comments facility on this page.
First-half dominance
After the disappointments of Sheffield Wednesday and Stoke City, Watford knew what tonight meant for their hopes of extending their season – and the response was impressive.
Their opponents were frankly wretched during the opening 45 minutes but their opponents made the most of the space they were afforded, playing some effective and incisive attacking football to open up a two-goal lead by the interval that could have been more.
How impressed were you by Watford’s first-half display?
Celebrating a century
From the moment Giorgi Chakvetadze played a neat give-and-go with Pierre Ekwah in the second minute, the Georgian looked in the mood to mark his 100th Watford appearance in style.
He almost marked it with a goal seven minutes later, seeing his powerful curler from the edge of the area, clip the top of the bar, but it was his lovely back-heeled lay-off that enabled Bola to fire the Hornets in front.
Chakvetadze’s attacking influence diminished after the break with defensive duties becoming more of a priority as Wrexham improved.
Influential Ekwah
The January transfer window signing was handed his first start by Ed Still and he rewarded him with an impressive display at the base of the midfield.
Neat and tidy on the ball, with his quick, sharp passing also a feature, the presence of the 24-year-old also freed up Imran Louza to go and play with greater freedom.
What was your view of Ekwah’s performance?
Defensive details
Having been so dominant in the first half, the last thing Watford wanted to do was offer their opponents early encouragement after the restart – but that is exactly what happened.
However, the corner that led to the goal was needlessly conceded by James Abankwah because he did not get a shout to ‘leave it’.
How did you feel Watford performed defensively?
A magical moment
Bove’s first appearance in a Watford shirt was emotional as the Italian completed his return to football after suffering a cardiac arrest – another emotional moment happened tonight.
Sent on as an 83rd minute replacement for Kayembe, Bove was in the right place in the penalty area to collect the rebound after a Bola shot thundered off the bar to score his first Hornets goal and make sure of the three points.
What followed were scenes of pure joy as Bove leapt on the advertising hoardings to celebrate in front of the Rookery before being held aloft as he was mobbed by his teammates.
Where does Bove’s celebration rank in your highlights of the season?
