VYD LEADS ELL OF A COMEBACK
Nu shocker for Boro
ZACH CLOUGH was Bolton’s teenage dream as he grabbed all three points against boring Brighton.
The 19- year- old has been a sensation at the Macron Stadium this season and won this woeful game early in the second half.
Both sides had a paltry shot apiece in the first 45 minutes – and the clash was just as bad after the restart until Clough wriggled free inside the box and slotted into the far corner for his sixth of the season.
The Seagulls tried to get back into the clash and Joao Teixeira wasted two good chances towards the end.
But that was about in a dreadful match that neither side really deserved to win. MATEJ VYDRA struck twice as Leeds let slip a 2- 0 lead at Elland Road.
The Whites made a mockery of the 18- point gap between the sides to go ahead through Billy Sharp and Rodolph Austin.
But they felt the Hornets’ sting as Czech ace Vydra and Troy Deeney led a fighting comeback to lift Watford into third place.
Leeds got off to a dream start – but they had a helping hand from Watford full- back Ikechi Anya.
The Scotland defender misdirected a header back to keeper Heurelho Gomes and Sharp pounced to net the opener on seven minutes.
It was no less than Leeds deserved – and things got a whole lot better for them on 18 minutes.
Austin appeared to be no immediate threat when Sam Byram nodded the ball in his direction.
But the dynamic midfielder fired off an angled half- volley from 25 yards that dipped over Gomes’ head.
Lightning
Watford were shaken but retaliated with a Juan Paredes shot that tested in- form Leeds keeper Marco Silvestri.
And the Hornets were back in the game on 38 minutes, thanks to a superb pass from SHOOTING STARS: Billy Sharp put Leeds ahead but they were stung by goals from Matej Vydra ( left inset) and Troy Deeney ( above inset) Vydra that sent Deeney muscling his way past two Leeds challenges.
And the striker finished it off by planting a low drive beyond Silvestri for his 14th goal of the season.
It was the signal for Watford to show their mettle and a lightning break on 55 minutes cut Leeds to ribbons.
Vydra finished the move at the far post after Deeney delivered a low cross.
It needed a brilliant save from Silvestri two minutes later to prevent Vydra applying the fatal blow from Deeney’s through- ball.
But when Deeney fed Vydra again on 80 minutes, Silvestri couldn’t hold the ball at full stretch and the Czech followed up to net the winner. ATDHE NUHIU was too hot to handle for Middlesbrough as their promotion challenge suffered major setback.
The Wednesday striker scored a penalty and set up another goal for Will Keane in the space of two minutes.
But until Nuhiu stroked in his 52ndminute spot- kick after Kenneth Omeruo had handled, it had been a pitch battle – and the pitch was winning.
Both sides struggled to cope with the heavily
a sanded surface, but Wednesday came to life after they had gone in front.
The Owls added their second two minutes later, after Nuhiu’s effort had come back off the post.
Keane bravely dived forward to head in his third goal since being sent out on loan by Manchester United last month.