Big Sam’s crying out for a finisher

Sam Allardyce admitted his Everton side are missing a clinical finisher after they lost 1-0 at Watford.

Hornets skipper Troy Deeney rifled into the roof of the net in 79 minutes to move his team six points clear of the relegation zone.

The Toffees have picked up eight points on their travels all season and boss Allardyce said: “The difference today was that purely and simply we didn’t have a finisher on the pitch good enough to put the ball in the back of the net.”

With just a point now separating the teams, Watford hero Deeney admitted it was a dismal game that came down to who wanted to avoid defeat the most.

He said: “We don’t want to lose a home game and Everton want to keep a gap from the bottom.

“It was a terrible game but the fans stuck with us and deserve it.”

Dan Gosling earned Bournemouth a point as they came from two down to draw 2-2 with wasteful Newcastle.

Dwight Gayle netted a double to put the away side ahead at the break but the Cherries hit back through sub Adam Smith’s goal in 80 minutes before Gosling netted at the death.

Elsewhere, Glenn Murray’s double helped Brighton to a 4-1 win at home to struggling Swansea. Anthony Knockaert and Jurgen Locadia added to the tally after Lewis Dunk’s own goal had given the Swans brief hope.

Southampton leapfrogged Swansea out of the drop zone thanks to Sub Manolo Gabbiadini’s last-gasp equaliser in their 1-1 draw at Burnley.

The Clarets had led through Ashley Barnes’ goal in 67 minutes before Gabbiadini struck.