Wembley heartache as Hornets sting Wolves
Watford FC 3 v Wolverhampton Wanderers 2
It all started so well. I made good time to Ickenham Tube Station where there was plenty of parking in the adjoining NCP. Catching a Wembley train I entered a carriage full of folk draped in Old Gold. Hailing from Wollaston they were singing heartily their inhibitions nulled by the warm glow of alcohol. Next to me sat one of their crew who apologised for their boisterous behaviour. Only when I produced my scarf did he realise I was one of their tribe all of which prompted a discussion about the remarkable season thus far and how we would fair against Watford in a couple of hours time. The sentiment mirrors other similar discussions. Watford will be tough for having turned us over in October we know that they are dangerous. Furthermore they lie in that nether zone where Wolves are marginally favourites. Not something the Old Gold thrives on.
Before we know it our discussion is brought to a close as we alight at Wembley Park and head down Olympic Way to the towering stadium rising like a modern day Coliseum. To gate N where I meet up with son Tom and Mick Gardner who have travelled from Bristol and Plymouth respectively to be here. Mick has two complimentary tickets albeit in the Watford end. They will need restraint. We catch up with news before I leave them to join the Molineux faithful in Zone G and a crash course in singing Wolves anthems, for which a lifetime spent in the Billy Quiet renders me ill equipped.
I am still struggling with “Oh Joao Moutinho….” when the game finally kicks off, the first twenty minutes struggling to ignite, as each side works the other out. Then on the half hour Troy Deeney finds Andre Gray free in the Wolves box. With just John Ruddy to beat he attempts to volley it rather than using his head and it goes high and wide. Three minutes later it’s Wolves turn to worry the opposition, Leander Dendoncker’s deflected strike being turned over by Heurelho Gomez. From the ensuing corner, which is taken short, Diogo Jota’s inswinging cross picks out Matt Doherty at the far post whose fine header finds the net. 1-0 Wolves and the game now alight.
For what remains of the first half and well into the second, Wolves dominate, Diogo Jota and Raul Jimenez a constant threat whilst behind them the excellent service provided by Ruben Nevez and Joao Moutinho ensures they see plenty of the ball. Wolves are in Manchester United mode and it is of little surprise when in the 62nd minute they add to their lead Raul Jimenez chesting down a Doherty cross before volleying into the net. The Wolves end explodes and for the next five minutes they revel in their side’s continuing domination. Sensing the game is slipping away from him, Manager Gracia introduces Gerard Deulofeu and from that point on the tide of the tie turns
Inspired by the mercurial Spaniard, Watford go up a gear. In minute 79 following a five minute spell in which they decamp in the Wolves half, Deulofeu’s exquisite chip reduces the deficit to one. Now on the front foot Watford’s cause takes a great leap forward when in minute 86 Manager Nuno mistakenly replaces Ruben Neves with Ryan Bennett and two minutes later Diogo Jota with Ivan Cavaleiro. He follows that by replacing Moutinho with Traore and at a stroke hands the game to Watford who for what remains of the game lay siege to the Wolves goal. Their backs to the wall it is perhaps inevitable that with barely a minute of time remaining, Dendoncker should be drawn into committing a foul on Troy Deeney who from the ensuing penalty makes no mistake.
The momentum now very much with Watford it is of little surprise that they should prevail in extra time, the talismanic Deulofeu sealing victory with a fine goal in the 104th minute.
“Football. Bloody hell!”
Wolves: Ruddy 6, Saiss 6, Coady 7, Boly 7, Doherty 8 Castrol Otto 7 Sub Vinagre, Neves 7, Moutinho 7 Sub Traore, Jota 8 Sub Cavaleiro, Jimenez 8
Watford FC: Gomes 6, Femenia 6 Sub Jaan Maat, Mariappa 6, Cathcart 6, Holebas 6, Capoue 7, Hughes 6 Sub Deulofeu 9, Doucoure7, Pereyra 6, Gray 7, Deeney 7
Attendance: 80,092
Referee: Michael Oliver 8
©Mark Brennand