FOR THE RECORD

Mepham’s late leveller means Bournemouth stay unbeaten

CHRIS MEPHAM’S 95th-minute equaliser rescued Bournemouth’s unbeaten record and denied Watford a fourth straight home win.

Old grudges die hard, and Hornets head coach Vladimir Ivic was seething afterwards, believing the ‘assist’ for Mepham’s sucker punch came from a player who should have been sent off after just 90 seconds.

He wasn’t wrong. Lloyd Kelly’s dreadful challenge on Ismaila Sarr in the second minute was brutal and referee Tim Robinson bottled it.

Had VAR been operating in the Championship, Kelly would probably have walked. Taking out the opposition’s most dangerous player, studs-up and above knee- high, is not usually permitted.

Bournemouth boss Jason Tindall said: “I’ve got to be honest: On another day, it could have been a red card.

“But I thought we deserved our point. Defeat

NICE ONE Bournemouth boss Jason Tindall thanks Chris Mepham after the game for his equaliser (right) would have been very harsh on us when we controlled much of the game.”

No complaints about Tindall’s assessment on both counts. Kelly was a lucky boy, but a draw was a fair result.

There was little love lost between the teams when they were promoted to the Premier League together five years ago, and in a touching act of solidarity they escorted each other back through the drayman’s hatch in July.

Kelly’s shocking challenge was hardly the stuff of building bridges, but Sarr soon enjoyed a measure of revenge, collecting Craig Cathcart’s raking pass with an exquisite first touch and firing in a low cross for Stipe Perica (right) to devour from 10 yards.

The Croat ian striker was a surprise choice in the starting XI ahead of top scorer Joao Pedro, but his first goal for the Hornets – on his first

League start – vindicated Ivic’s decision.

Sarr squandered a glorious chance to double Watford’s lead when substitute Etienne Capoue sent him clear, but Asmir Begovic smothered the effort.

And for all their urgency, the Cherries looked like being denied as Hornets keeper Ben Foster went full-length to foil Dominic Solanke and Josh King, making his first appearance of the season, fired over the angle.

But in the fifth of seven added minutes, Mepham turned in Kelly’s wayward shot from close range.

Ivic claimed Foster was fouled in the build-up, and he demanded more protection for Sarr, who was kicked from pillar to post.

He said: “We can be disappointed with the result – we conceded the goal so late, but my players gave the maximum.

“I hope Sarr is OK – it doesn’t matter who he plays for, we need to protect this kind of player.”