Watford 0-1 Blackburn Rovers: Ryan Hedges’ magic moment gives Blackburn victory and puts pressure on Valerien Ismael
- Blackburn Rovers record a win against Watford at Vicarage Road
- Ryan Hedges’ magic moment was the only thing that separated the two sides
- After today, Watford are goalless in four hours of championship football
Blackburn fans may have been saddened by Sunday’s early kick-off, but a magical moment from Ryan Hedges sent them on the long journey back to Lancashire with smiles on their faces.
Rovers supporters who made the nearly 420-mile round trip before the afternoon start made their feelings clear in the first half with chants directed at broadcasters about their planning of the game.
A rather sensational effort from Hedges eighteen minutes from time made it all worth it.
The Welsh winger collected a loose ball on the edge of the penalty area, tapped it over Watford defender Wesley Hoedt, juggled it twice and shot past Daniel Bachmann from a tight angle with his weaker foot.
The goal was more than worthy of giving Blackburn three points here. “The finish was beautiful,” said Rovers manager Jon Dahl Tomasson.
Blackburn Rovers beat Watford 1-0 in their championship game at Vicarage Road on Sunday
Ryan Hedges scored the only goal of the game from a tight angle after a beautiful build-up
Hedges provided a golf swing celebration as Blackburn traveled north with all three points
Valerie Ismael’s team is in a goal drought and has not scored in four hours of championship football
“I told Ryan to always shoot with the right foot instead of the left!”
For Watford, the drought continues. Their last goal in the league came almost four hours ago, their fourth in the first half against QPR on the first day of the season.
The Hornets create chances and had 24 goal attempts here.
Matheus Martins hit the crossbar and the post and got a one-on-one save, but it’s no wonder they spent over £1 million on a new striker in Mileta Rajovic.
Ismael had laid the law before kick-off when he dropped Imran Louza, presumably because he was late for training, before being brought on in the second half.
“Everyone has to respect the rules and Imran knows why he was on the bench,” said Watford boss Valerien Ismael.
“I’m not happy about making some decisions, but I have to take action if the rules aren’t respected. No one is bigger than the club or the team.’
Hedges’ miracle goal was out of place in a largely dour affair on Vicarage Road.
It has been 16 years since these two sides met in the Premier League and judging by this evidence, it will be some time before they are back at the top of the table.
Chances were scarce throughout the game. Martins had the best chances for Watford when his 20-yard curler crashed off the crossbar in the first half before his low hit was hit late on the post by Blackburn goalkeeper Aynsley Pears. It wouldn’t be his day – nor Watford’s.
Watford’s Tom Dele-Bashiru was replaced by Giorgi Chakvetadze, but neither showed much
Jon Dahl Tomasson will be happy with his side’s win after last week’s 2-1 defeat to Hull City
Matheus Martins had a tough day as he was saved one-on-one and hit the post and crossbar