Sean VAR cry
DYCHE CAN’T TECH ANY MORE OF THIS
BURNLEY manager Sean Dyche cannot wait for VAR to make its Premier League debut.
The technology will come into action next season but the Clarets chief believed if it had been around yesterday his side would have left Vicarage Road after extending their winning run.
Chris Wood found the net in added time after winger Dwight McNeil’s shot had been palmed out by Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster.
It was waved offside, denying Burnley their fifth successive win.
Dyche said: “I am not jumping up and down and I thought the officials had a great game but I think they got this one wrong.
“This was a tight call and VAR is badly needed at moments like this.
“We need to do what needs to be done. This was a key moment.
“Otherwise I can’t complain. I thought this was a winning performance and even when we were struggling earlier in the season I had faith in this squad. They are a good bunch.”
Burnley’s point marred the Hornets’ day of celebration.
Fans were given vouchers for beers to toast their first home game following the anniversary of the death of their godfather Graham Taylor two years ago. In the end it all turned flat on a day when the rain fell and dampened a special occasion.
Dyche happily played his part by clapping in the 72nd minute, Taylor’s age when he died.
He added: “I was a player here, coach, assistant manager and manager and Taylor was a top man. It was a moment for me to remember.”
Watford manager Javi Gracia said: “We have only one defeat in eight league matches so I am not unhappy.
“The goalkeepers played well. There were lots of positives.
“Last season we were 1-0 up to Burnley and lost. This time we are much stronger. We just need to be better in attack.”
The Clarets, who started the season as whipping boys, are now finding their teeth and deserved to leave with a point.
They fought from the start, survived an early scare but overall were the better side with Jack Cork an unsung hero, helping in defence, prompting in attack.
With both teams unbeaten since Boxing Day it was always expected to be close. Watford should taken the lead when Gerard Deulofeu raced down on Tom Heaton in the third minute only for the Burnley keeper to save well.
Foster denied the visitors in the 29th minute, blocking a header from Wood who really should have done better from Ashley Westwood’s cross.
Watford attacked, Burnley defended. Burnley attacked, Watford defended.
This was a game of cat and mouse with both sides full of confidence and not ready to back down.
Burnley are a fighting side, never beaten until the final whistle. They often get out of trouble by hitting balls down the channel with their strikers willing to chase a lost cause.
Watford won a good share of possession but at times did not know what to do with it. Troy Deeney was well policed by Ben Mee and so much of their cutting edge was missing.
The most impressive Hornets forward was Deulofeu who, despite his early miss, never stopped going forward.