Watford vs Leicester City report: Watford match report

Brendan Rodgers took charge of Leicester for the first time as Leicester City travelled to Vickerage Road to take on Watford in the Premier League. The game ended 2-1 in favour of Watford, courtesy of goals from Troy Deeney and Andre Gray.

Both teams made a change each from their previous game, with Wes Morgan coming in for Demarai Gray and Jose Holebas replacing Adam Mesina.

The first chance of the game fell to the hosts from a free-kick which Leicester failed to deal with but Kaper Schmeichel saved the shot. However, a minute later, Leicester gave away another free-kick which Deulofeu took and Troy Deeney headed home to break the deadlock.

Mariappa was the first player to be booked in the game after fouling Jamie Vardy in the 12^th minute. A nasty collision in the box between Vardy and Foster left both men on the ground.

Leicester found their feet as the game went on and Chilwell’s first time shot across the face of the goal was skewed wide by Barnes. Abdoulaye Doucoure came close for the hosts after some wonderful work by Troy Deeney on the right-hand side but Evans did well to read the danger.

Deulofeu cut inside to beat Ricardo Perreira before scuffing his shot straight into the hands of the Leicester keeper. Rodgers’ first half-time team talk for the Foxes had to be a strong one as Watford went into the break with a 1-0 lead.

Doucoure’s shot from distance was well saved by Schmeichel as Watford looked dangerous. Leicester won a free-kick and Chilwell put a brilliant ball into the box but the Foxes failed to capitalise.

Watford carelessly gave away possession at the halfway line and Harvey Barnes droved towards the byline before his cross was comfortably dealt with by Cathcart.

Capoue, Doucoure and Deeney all picked up yellow cards in the space of two minutes as Leicester tried to turn the pressure up. Demarai Gray came on for the foxes in the 66th minute as Brendan Rodgers tried to get his team back on level terms. Deulofeu was replaced by Andre Gray for the last 20 minutes.

Leicester dominated possession but found it difficult to create a meaningful chance in the Watford half. Full-back duo Pereira and Chilwell got into decent wide positions but could not deliver a decent cross.

Jamie Vardy finally levelled the game for the Foxes after a brilliant through ball from Youri Tielemans. Vardy’s strike was his 3rd consecutive goal against Watford in the Premier League.

Vardy came off in the 80th minute after a suspected concussion and was replaced by Kelechi Iheanacho. Nampalys Mendy too came on for the visitors in place of Tielemans.

The Nigerian was immediately involved as Gray found him from deep with a ton of space but failed to make anything off it. Demarai Gray looked the likeliest to create something as Leicester piled the pressure in the dying minutes of the game.

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Wes Morgan wasted a brilliant chance to grab the winner as he headed Maddison’s cross wide in the 90th minute. Brendan Rodgers continued to push for a winner but a brilliant ball from Troy Deeney released Andre Gray through and the substitute buried home the winner.

Leicester launched a final flurry of attacks in the last two minutes but the hosts held on to deny Rodgers a point on his return to the Premier League.

Here’s how the Watford fans celebrated the dramatic win:

Troy, without a doubt. Powerhouse performance. Leader. My captain.

— Paul (@hoganwatford) March 3, 2019

He’s a top man that for sure

— CharlieAdamno1Fan (@FanAdamno1) March 3, 2019

Go on Andre 👏🏽

— Yousaf (@Yousaf_S_1987) March 3, 2019

🎵 André, André 🎵 made my weekend. Cheers fella.

— Adrian Barrett (@adrianpb) March 3, 2019

Great bounceback win after the Liverpool nightmare! You Orns!!!! #WatfordFC 💛🖤🐝⚽️👍🏿

— Omar Moore (@popcornreel) March 3, 2019

Loving it🐝Andre Gray Andre Gray 🐝🐝🐝🐝

— Paul Roche (@PaulRoc98942725) March 3, 2019