Capoue’s ban a real handicap

IT IS hard enough to stop Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City at the best of times, as Watford know only too well.

They’d been thumped 5-0 and 6-0 in Pep’s previous two visits to Vicarage Road.

To stand a chance of ending that miserable sequence, they needed to be as near full-strength as possible.

But they were, harshly in their view, denied the services of one of their mainstays Etienne Capoue last night. Watford’s appeal against his dismissal for a challenge on

Leicester striker Kelechi Iheanacho was rejected, ruling him out.

That is not the end of the matter though. A second appeal is on the way.

The red card decision has divided opinion but the Hornets’ unhappiness is understandable.

Capoue’s right boot studs only made contact with the ball.

The tackle looked two-footed but his left foot was actually planted in the ground until he slipped.

Iheanacho’s dramatic reaction, clutching his ankle in apparent pain, would not have helped Capoue (above) at the time.

But his confession to his Nigeria team-mate Isaac Success that Capoue didn’t touch him should have.

So Watford aren’t giving up and still hope to get Capoue’s threegame ban overturned in time to face Everton on Monday.

“We will be striving to ensure a hearing is held before the end of this week,” said Vicarage Road chairman Scott Duxbury.

Watford could have done with him last night as City toyed with them once again, until a late rally almost rescued a point.