Hornet Healey’s late leveller is a stinger for Saints
Healey 90
WATFORD boss Valerien Ismael praised striker Rhys Healey after the supersub earned the Hornets a draw just 90 seconds after entering the pitch.
Healey picked up a knockdown from fellow substitute Vakoun Bayo and sent a low shot beyond Saints keeper Gavin Bazunu for a 96th-minute equaliser.
Boss Ismael said: “It’s great for Rhys to get that reward. It has been a difficult period when he wants to play more.
“But he contributed to get us a point. He surprised the keeper with the position he shot from.
“It’s important for him as a striker to score goals.
“This will give him the confidence to know that he can do it.
“The bench had a massive impact today. I’m pleased that the players came on the pitch to make a difference.”
Healey struck when it seemed that Southampton would keep pace with the leaders through Che Adams’ 56th-minute strike.
The first half was largely forgettable with Southampton content to pass it around.
The game changed with the half-time introduction of Ryan Fraser.
The Scot was more interested in beating his man and sending over a cross and was involved in
WATFORD ................. 1 ......... 1 an opportunity which Adams dragged wide.
Fraser then played a crucial role when Saints took the lead.
He twisted away from his marker before crossing for Adam Armstrong to head into the path of Adams whose side-step and shot put his team ahead. Fraser might have made it 2-0 but his drive following an Armstrong run was tipped over by Ben Hamer.
Saints boss Russell Martin said: “I didn’t speak very long with the lads because I felt so disappointed when we came off the pitch.
“I watched stuff that I’m proud of and that I enjoyed, but we just can’t have too many slip-ups, especially when the teams above us keep winning.”
WATFORD: Hamer 6; Andrews 7, Porteous 6, Hoedt 6, Lewis 7 (Martins (80) 6); Sierralta 6; Asprilla 7 (Ince (70) 6), Kayembe 5 (Healey (90) 8), Kone 5 (Chakvetadze (80) 6), Sema 6; Rajovic 6 (Bayo (70) 6) SOUTHAMPTON: Bazunu 6; Walkerpeters 6, Harwood-bellis 7, Bednarek 8, Manning 6; Aribo 6 (Smallbone (87) 6), Charles 6, Alcaraz 5 (Fraser (46) 9), S Armstrong 7 (Bree (87) 6); A Armstrong 8, Adams 7 (Mara (80) 6) STAR MAN: Ryan Fraser – The Scotland winger changed the game with his hard running and desire. REF: Geoff Eltringham 7