KEN HITS BACK FOR HORNETS
Leveller frustrates Blues
BIRMINGHAM 1 WATFORD 1
KEN SEMA kept Rob Edwards’ unbeaten start as Watford boss intact with a second-half equaliser.
The Swede powered home after 18-year-old midfielder George Hall had given Birmingham a shock lead on only his second career start.
Watford were without star man Ismaila Sarr, the subject of transfer interest from Crystal Palace and Leeds, with the Hornets suggesting before the game that his absence was due to injury. However they dominated early on as full debutant Yaser Asprilla went close from distance.
Another first starter in Vakoun Bayo then headed wide from Joao Pedro’s cross.
Bayo, a recent arrival from Gent, then headed against the post after Craig Cathcart had nodded on Sema’s corner. But completely against the run of play Birmingham took a 19th-minute lead.
Former Watford star Troy Deeney’s quick throw found Scott Hogan who burst down the right before cutting back for Hall to bury.
It was quite a moment for the Blues academy graduate who has been given a chance by boss John Eustace. Watford reacted well with Mario Gaspar denied by a superb interception on the line from Dion Sanderson after being set up by Pedro.
Deeney went in search of the goal he wanted as he shot straight at Daniel Bachmann from outside the area just before the break. However after a slow start to the second half, Watford went on to get a deserved equaliser 18 minutes after the break.
The impressive Gaspar charged down the right and his cross was parried by John Ruddy with Sema drilling in the rebound from just inside the area.
Deeney was denied by Bachmann on the volley from a Josh Williams cross before going off to a standing ovation from both sets of fans, visiting supporters still grateful for his efforts at Vicarage Road.
And it was Watford who could have won it late on as Pedro’s powerful shot went just wide of Ruddy’s post.
Deep into stoppage time, captain Cathcart headed wide from substitute Joseph Hungbo’s free-kick.
BIRMINGHAM (3-5-2): Ruddy 6; Colin 6, Sanderson 7, Trusty 6; Williams 6, James 6, Hall 7 (Chang 79), Bacuna 6, Placheta 6 (Friend 90); Hogan 7 (Jutkiewicz 85), Deeney 7 (Leko 85). WATFORD (3-5-2): Bachmann 6; Kabasele 6, Sierralta 6, Cathcart 6; Gaspar 7, Kayembe 6 (Davis 88), Choudhury 6, Asprilla 6 (Gosling 75), Sema 7 (Hungbo 88); Bayo 7 (Manaj 55, 6), Pedro 6.