Daniel Bachmann pulled off a superb performance to help Watford produce one of the goalless football scores of the weekend in the Championship. The goalie was able to get his right hand to the ball after diving full length to reach it in the 68th minute, saving the home team from gaining a deserving lead. Long stretches of City’s dominance went unfinished, as the out-of-sorts visitors failed to register a single shot on goal the whole game. Nigel Pearson, the under-fire manager of City, made two adjustments from his team’s previous Championship match, inserting Andy King into the back-three and calling back Jay Dasilva to play left wing-back.
Samuel Kalu received his first start of the year from Watford manager Slaven Bilic, and Hassene Kamara and Mario Gaspar were reinstated to the starting lineup. The Robins, who had been humiliated by Lincoln in the Carabao Cup and had only two victories in their previous 12 Championship starts, got off to a strong start, with Bachmann saving Tommy Conway’s shot in the fifth minute. On minute 10, Conway missed a clear opportunity to score when he headed over from eight yards out. At the 27-minute mark, Nahki Wells was brought down as his header was blocked as Watford was being pinned back, and City had a strong penalty appeal rejected.
When Weimann’s header appeared to be going just inside the far post with Watford under pressure, Bachmann delivered the play of the game. When midfielder Dan Gosling was knocked down off the ball at the 80-minute mark, the visitors were dealt a blow. He urgently motioned to the bench before being carried off the field on a stretcher. Ironically, the home crowd cheered when Watford substitute Vakoun Bayo shot high and wide on the 84th minute. It was the first shot on goal for his team. City kept up the pressure until the very end, but when Bachmann saved at Semenyo’s feet in stoppage time, they had to settle for a point.
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