Unsworth’s luck turns at long last

DAVID UNSWORTH finally got a slice of luck as Tom Cleverley’s late penalty miss kept alive his slim chances of being appointed Everton manager.

In a ludicrous match, superb second-half goals from Richarlison and Christian Kabasele meant Watford looked set for victory.

But they had lost keeper Heurelho Gomes to injury. And Everton scored three times in the last 23 minutes to go 3-2 up.

Then Watford were awarded a penalty in the 101st minute – there was 12 minutes’ injury-time – and former Evertonian Cleverley dragged it wide.

It remains likely that Sam Allardyce or, ironically, Watford’s Marco Silva will be approached in the coming days as Everton step up their search for a permanent manager. But for now, caretaker Unsworth can dare to dream. He said: “I might CALVERT-LEWIN need to lie down in a dark room for half an hour. We showed great fight and spirit and that’s what you need at the bottom of the table. This club is built on that sort of attitude.”

The first half was pedestrian although Watford finished the stronger and just before the break Jordan Pickford was lucky to get away with a mad dash from his line as Richarlison was fed in by Andre Gray. The Everton keeper misjudged his rush and was rounded by Richarlison but the Brazilian could not find the angle needed.

Richarlison made amends 32 seconds after the restart when Everton fell asleep, Gray turned

EVERTON WATFORD

Michael Keane and slipped in Richarlison, who prodded home.

Soon after, Gomes had to be replaced by Orestis Karnezis after Gomes appeared to be concussed and cut in the process of making back-to-back saves.

But Kabasele nodded home Jose Holebas’ superb corner to make it 2-0 Watford.

Everton were given hope when Oumar Niasse rounded Karnezis, was fouled by Holebas but, as he fell over, still managed to get enough on the ball to score. And when Dominic Calvert-Lewin rose highest to finish off a Leighton Baines corner, Unsworth was smiling at last.

His grin got wider when Baines slammed home from 12 yards in the 91st minute after Lennon had been fouled.

Then Pickford fouled Richarlison, Cleverley stepped up and scuffed his effort wide. Silva said: “It’s really disappointing but Tom will react well.

“We had it all under control, then everything happened with our team. Losing Gomes was the key moment.”

EVERTON (4-2-3-1):