RESULT! Bore draw to end Aus tour
WATFORD completed their Austria tour with an underwhelming goalless draw against Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala.
Manager Walter Mazzarri gave a full debut to summer signing Christian Kabasele but the former Genk defender was rarely tested as neither team were able to shift out of first gear.
The Hornets continued with their preferred formation of three at the back and wing-backs Ikechi Anya and Jose Holebas threatened to cause some early problems, providing an array of dangerous crosses into the area.
But the game failed to burst into life for the majority of the first half as both sets of players struggled in the sweltering conditions.
Just before the break, Anzhi finally threatened the Watford goal when Svyatoslav Georgievskiy attempted a lob over keeper Heurelho Gomes but the Brazilian superbly
The former Manchester United chief – installed yesterday morning after Allardyce was appointed Three Lions manager – watched on from the stands as Robbie Stockdale and Paul Bracewell took charge of first-team affairs.
But Moyes had been happy to pose for pictures before kick-off and waved to Sunderland’s 2,000 travelling fans as they chanted, ‘David Moyes’ red and white army’.
And at the end of the game he joined his new players on the pitch and raised a clenched fist towards the away end as they sang his name. Moyes saw former Newcastle winger Charles N’Zogbia, 30 – taken on trial by Allardyce – turn in an eye-catching display. The Frenchman may have thought his hopes of winning a contract were slim after the FA came calling for Big Sam. But he set up Fabio Borini for the opening goal and made it 2-1 in the closing minutes to make his case to the former Everton and Preston boss.