Bournemouth vs Watford. Premier League.
Vitality StadiumAttendance11,187.
Saturday 3 October 2015 19:34, UK
Glenn Murray missed a late penalty as Bournemouth drew 1-1 against Watford at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Murray, making his first start for the Cherries after his summer move from Crystal Palace, opened the scoring on 28 minutes, before Odion Ighalo tapped home for Watford following an Artur Boruc error.
Murray had the chance to win the game from the penalty spot with seven minutes to play after Etienne Capoue brought down substitute Adam Smith, but the former Palace striker saw his effort saved by Heurelho Gomes.
The draw means Watford move up to 11th in the table, while five points from their first four home games sees Bournemouth settle in 15th.
Eddie Howe's side capitalised on a bright start to go ahead through Murray, the forward converting a perfect cross from Matt Ritchie after good link-up play down the right-hand side.
It was the third time Murray found himself unmarked in the Watford penalty box inside the first 30 minutes - he miscued early on when well-placed before he was correctly flagged offside after a diving header drifted just wide, but the warning signs were there for Quique Sanchez Flores.
The Cherries were comfortable after the goal as Watford struggled to sustain attacks, but a nightmarish mistake from Boruc gifted Watford a route back into the match on the stroke of half-time.
The Bournemouth 'keeper took too long on the ball, and passed straight to Ighalo after the Watford striker closed him down. Ighalo calmly rounded Boruc and tapped into an empty net to level things up.
The error brought to mind Boruc's mistake at Arsenal when he played for Southampton two years ago - on that occasion Oliver Giroud was the grateful beneficiary.
After the break the game opened up, and Ben Watson rattled the crossbar for Watford with a half-volley from 10 yards on 51 minutes.
The Hornets were much improved in the second half, with Ikechi Anya heavily involved after a quiet first 45 minutes.
The winger had Watford's next chance just after the hour mark, but Boruc smothered well after the Scotland International got in behind the Bournemouth defence for the first time.
Anya was forced off with a knock on 72 minutes, and Bournemouth rallied as both sides had chances to win the game.
Steve Cook saw his 20-yard bicycle kick brilliantly saved by Gomes, before referee Michael Oliver awarded the Cherries a penalty after Capoue took down Smith on 83 minutes.
But Murray missed his opportunity to put Eddie Howe's side ahead, Gomes diving down to his left-hand side to comfortably keep out a penalty that lacked power.
Bournemouth will feel like they missed a great chance to climb the table after controlling large parts of the game, and they face a tough run of fixtures after the international break.
Next up is a visit to Manchester City before they welcome Tottenham Hotspur to the Vitality Stadium on October 25.
As for Watford, they have stretched their impressive away league form to a run of just one defeat from their last 13 matches away from Vicarage Road (W8 D4).
They host Arsenal on October 17, before a trip to the Britannia Stadium to face Stoke City.
Soccer Saturday verdict - Paul Merson
"It was a disappointing game in the end. Watford were slow to support Deeney on the attack, and there weren't many chances from either side.
"One of the highlights was Steve Cook's bicycle kick, which required a great save from Gomes. Sanchez Flores will be the happier of the managers today. Bournemouth had to win today, and Watford set up not to lose."
Player ratings
Bournemouth: Boruc (5), Francis (7), Cook (6), Distin (6), Daniels (6), Ritchie (6), Gosling (6), Surman (6), Pugh (6), King (6), Murray (6)
Subs used: O'Kane (6), Smith (6),
Watford: Gomes (8), Nyom (6), Prödl (6), Cathcart (6), Ake (6); Capoue (6), Watson (6), Abdi (6), Deeney (6), Anya (6), Ighalo (6)
Subs used: Ibardo (6), Paredes (6), Guedioura (6)
Man of the match: Heurelho Gomes
