CRUISING TO Pearson fuming over giveaway to Everton
WATFORD 2 EVERTON 3
NIGEL PEARSON’S honeymoon period at Watford is well and truly over now.
The Hornets crashed to a third consecutive defeat after previously going six games unbeaten. And this one will hurt Pearson the most.
Cruising at 2-0, they conceded two set pieces in first-half stoppage time, with Everton’s Yerry Mina scoring twice.
Then, in the ascendancy at 2-2 and playing against 10 men after Fabian Delph’s red card, they tossed away a precious point as Theo Walcott scored on a late counter.
Suddenly, Pearson has a fresh problem in sorting out a very leaky defence.
The former Leicester chief had an immediate impact in December and it looked as if Watford would start to turn things around.
Now though things don’t look so good, and they are still two points away from safety.
Pearson said: “It was exceptionally disappointing. To come in at 2-2 was very frustrating.
“Generally speaking, we’ve been good but we allowed them to get back into the game too easily.
“We have to take responsibility for not seeing the first half through. It was maybe a lack of concentration.
“We have to reflect very honestly on not taking care of our own performance. Clearly the players are a bit down at the moment, but we have to keep working and get on with it.
“We have to take responsibility for not seeing the first half through. It is a difficult one to take. We have to get over it – we have to recover.
“It is never an easy journey. Today we contributed to our downfall but players are human beings. They will have me nudging them and encouraging them. They will have the same support.
“It was a difficult day, but when setbacks occur we need to answer our doubters.”
It could and should have been a very different story.
Watford played some wonderful football in the first half and deservedly went 2-0 in front.
Etienne Capoue’s delightful diagonal ball found Gerard Deulofeu, with the Belgian taking it down superbly before Adam Masina powered in his first Premier League goal.
Watford increased their lead on 42 minutes as Troy Deeney capitalised on a Delph error before finding Roberto Pereyra, who made no mistake.
Inexplicably, they then switched off at the back with the half-time whistle looming.
Mina bundled in at the second attempt from Gylfi Sigurdsson’s corner.
And Mina was at it again when he was left unmarked to head in another Sigurdsson delivery. Delph, who had a shocker, was red-carded after 71 minutes for a second bookable offence in a matter of minutes.
But Watford, who desperately threw on Danny Welbeck for his first appearance in three-and-ahalf months, could not take advantage.
Disaster struck Pearson’s men when they were caught out on the break in the very last minute of the match.
Former Watford star Richarlison’s run found sub Moise Kean, who barely got a touch. But Walcott, who had
been quiet throughout, gleefully slotted the opportunity home.
It was the first time Everton had won a Premier League match after conceding first since 2017, and boss Carlo Ancelotti was understandably happy.
“I did not want to run and celebrate the winner,” he said. “If I had done so I would be dead!
“We did not deserve to equalise but we are dangerous at set pieces – you need to be in England. It was a great and important result.”