Unsworth gets lucky as soft Toffees scrape a win

IF this was David Unsworth’s final flourish in the dugout at least Lady Luck wore a blue scarf.

Everton scrambled out of the dropzone but don’t be fooled by the astonishing late drama.

For an hour the home side were dreadful. A thrilling cocktail of drama and ineptitude is fooling nobody, least of all Sam Allardyce or Sean Dyche, still the two favourites to take over full-time during the international break.

Watford were cruising until they lost keeper Heurelho Gomes with a head injury. His replacement, Greek international Orestis Karnezis, was hopeless. Unsworth said: “I need to lie down in a darkened room for an hour after that. It looked like a desperate situation but we never gave in.

“The fans didn’t turn against us and that’s what you need when you’re bottom of the table. I’m just proud of the way we showed fight and real desire.”

Watford winger Richarlison netted 30 seconds after the restart. And when Christian Kabasele stole in front of Phil Jagielka to head home a Jose Holebas corner for 2-0 the game looked up for Unsworth.

But within 10 minutes Oumar Niasse was rewarded with his persistence. Then Karnezis was nowhere to be seen as sub Dominic Calvert-Lewin headed the equaliser.

Bang on 90 minutes, Holebas slipped, Aaron Lennon fell over him and ref Graham Scott pointed to the spot. It was a softer decision than cotton wool but Baines picked his spot.

Yet there was still time for Everton almost to throw it away.

Keeper Jordan Pickford upended Richarlison but former Everton midfielder Tom Cleverley dragged his 99th-minute penalty wide.