OH, WAT’S OCCURRING?

Hornets have gone from a laughing stock to ratings winner under new boss Pearson

CHRISTMAS is a time for hope – and Watford have some thanks to Nigel Pearson.

Their prospects looked as bright as a turkey’s three weeks ago when Pearson was appointed as their third manager this season.

But the former Leicester boss has engineered a remarkable revival to lift them off the bottom of the Premier League. This hard-fought draw on the back of Sunday’s fine win over Manchester United makes it four points from Pearson’s last two games.

The Hornets are six points below the safety line going into tomorrow’s huge relegation clash with Aston Villa at Vicarage Road.

Ben Foster was Watford’s guiding star and the 36-year-old rolled back the years to make two superb saves to earn this point at Bramall Lane.

His first from Oli Mcburnie was stunning as he made a reflex stop low down to his right. His second was even better as he denied John Fleck from close range. Watford would already be dead and buried but for the former England international and thanks to him they have a platform to secure survival.

Former Sheffield

Wednesday captain

Pearson (right), who still lives in the Steel City, will have been satisfied to end the Blades’ three-match winning run and it was a frustrating finish to a quite brilliant 2019 for those at Bramall Lane.

Chris Wilder knew Pearson and Watford would prove difficult opponents and it did not help that the Blades were below their aggressive and energetic best.

Dean Henderson had a rare off-day and the on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper was at fault for Gerard Deulofeu’s opener.

The Blades began well after kick-off had been delayed for 10 minutes because of turnstile problems and Foster twice denied Mcburnie in the space of 60 seconds to set the tone.

Foster made a superb reflex stop low to his right to push away Mcburnie’s effort from Jack O’connell’s driven cross before he saved a header from the Blades striker.

He then turned creator to have a hand in Watford’s opening goal on 27 minutes through a route-one move.

He launched a goal kick and Nathaniel Chalobah flicked it on for Deulofeu to run through and score, beating Henderson at his near post.

After all their hard work, Watford gifted United an equaliser when Will Hughes clipped George Baldock’s heels in the box for a penalty and Ollie Norwood fired home the spot-kick to register his first Premier League goal.

United thought they would score on 64 minutes, only for Foster to deny them again. Fleck connected with sub Lys Mousset’s cross in the six-yard box and Foster managed to divert it over the bar with his knee.

His save was met by stunned disbelief by the Blades fans but Watford will now believe they can survive.

5 6 6 6 7 6 7 6 6 7 6 6 9 6 6 6 6 7 5 6 6 8 6 6 BEN FOSTER gave Dean Henderson a lesson in how to excel in the duel of England keepers past and present. Foster made two world-class saves for Watford from Oli Mcburnie and John Fleck, while Henderson was at fault for Gerard Deulofeu’s opener. And as Watford climbed off the bottom of the table, delighted Hornets boss Nigel Pearson praised the 36-year-old’s professionalism. “He still has fire in his belly to go out and perform,” said Pearson. “You look in his eyes and you know he wants to deliver. He made a couple of saves and one unbelievable one. “For all the possession United had, we kept them at arm’s length. I’m happy with the result because I didn’t feel we were in charge during key moments to force a win.” But Blades boss Chris Wilder refused to criticise Henderson (above) for being beaten at his near post. He said: “I don’t think it should have come to that. We had highlighted the runs of Deulofeu. “In terms of Dean’s positioning he was unfortunate. It was a good finish by a highly-talented player. The key moments belonged to us, but we didn’t have the quality to win it.” ARD FOR BLADES Deulofeu slots home the Watford opener followed by a muted celebration (above)