MUNOZ PRAISE FOR ACE PEDRO
WATFORD boss Xisco Munoz praised “exciting” striker Joao Pedro after he scored one and set two up at Blackburn in midweek.
The 19-year-old’s ninth goal of the season set the Hornets on their way, before his shot was eventually turned home by Ismaila Sarr for Watford’s second.
Joao played in Ken Sema for Watford’s third, with the visitors holding on for a 3-2 victory.
It was Watford’s first win at Ewood Park since September 2000 – a year before Joao was born.
And after Watford’s seventh victory in 10 games, Xisco praised Pedro’s work.
He said: “I think he needs to continue to score. We know Joao Pedro is an exciting player, he’s a brilliant striker, and I know also he scores a lot of goals.
“I repeat, I have a very good squad but I am happy with Joao because right now, he’s working hard and also in defence, because he does very good things for the team in defence and offence.”
Hornets skipper Tom Cleverley said of the forward: “I think the last few games he’s shown he’s either been learning from Troy (Deeney) or Andre (Gray) on the aggression side of his game.
“He’s added bits to his game in the last few weeks, so credit to him.”
KENNY Jackett was relieved to earn a point on his return to the dugout as Portsmouth were held to a draw by Gillingham.
Pompey’s automatic promotion hopes suffered a blow after Vadaine Oliver seized on a mistake by defender Lee Brown to cancel out Sean Raggett’s opener.
Jackett, back on touchline duty after undergoing minor surgery, said: “I felt we played well in the first half, hit a post and worked their goalkeeper as well.
“A defensive mistake got them back in the game, but in the second half we lost our way a little bit and Gillingham had the better of the last 15 minutes.
“They had some good chances and my goalkeeper made a great save at the end. We were really pleased with a point by the time the game concluded.”
The hosts started brightly and were unlucky not to take the lead after only two minutes when Marcus Harness fired against a post.
Tottenham loanee Harvey White also forced a brilliant save from Gills goalkeeper Jack Bonham.
Pompey, though, went in front 13 minutes before half-time, when Harness ghosted past two defenders before crossing for Raggett to stoop and head past Bonham
Gillingham were gifted their leveller when Brown tried to chest the ball back to goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray and Oliver nipped in to poke home.
MacGillivray made an excellent stop to prevent Olly Lee putting the Gills in front from a wellstruck volley.
The home side offered little in the second half and would have lost late on, but for John Akinde failing to beat MacGillivray after being sent clean through.
Gillingham manager Steve Evans was irked not to come away with all three points after 18 shots.
Evans said: “You do not often come to Fratton Park and miss a host of chances and dominate the second half.
“We could have scored four or five in the second half, but we didn’t. We should have got all three points.
“In the second half we were far superior in every department.
“We are in a little bit of a run where it is not happening for us, but I cannot complain about the performance.”