Watford 1-1 Swansea City: Hornets fight back to draw after Ryan Andrews own goal

Watford’s struggles under Valerien Ismael continued as they battled to a 1-1 draw with Swansea City.

Swansea wasted chances to stretch their advantage before the break, before Watford’s second-half improvement was rewarded when Wesley Hoedt headed goalwards and fellow centre-back Ryan Porteous appeared to help the ball over the line.

The draw means Watford have taken only six points from their last nine matches, a dispiriting sequence which has prompted questions over the future of head coach Ismael.

Swansea are on the best run since early October having taken seven points from their last three Championship games, though Luke Williams’ side will feel they could have got more given their first-half superiority at Vicarage Road.

The Swans stay 15th in the table – though the gap to the bottom three now stretches to five points – with Watford two points and two places better off.

Ismael had called for a fast start against Swansea, and his players responded to an extent as early Yaser Asprilla and Jamal Lewis efforts were blocked.

But Ismael’s team looked nervy and uncertain – and duly conceded an embarrassing goal when Matt Grimes sent a long ball down the inside left channel for Przemsylaw Placheta to chase.

Right-back Andrews comfortably beat Placheta to the ball and attempted to head back to another player recalled to Watford’s starting side, Bachmann.

But the Austrian international keeper’s questionable positioning meant Andrews’ back-header rolled into the empty net.

Swansea ought to have doubled their lead when Ronald dispossessed Lewis and burst into the box, but this time Bachmann saved his side by turning the Brazilian’s shot round the post.

Watford tried to respond, Emmanuel Dennis seeing a shot blocked by Ben Cabango and Porteous heading over, before Bachmann pawed out Cabango’s header just before the break.

Ismael’s team improved significantly in the second half, putting their opponents under sustained pressure for the first time and levelling from a Giorgi Chakvetadze corner.

Hoedt lost his marker to flick on and Porteous looked to get the final touch as the ball went over the line.

Nathan Wood’s fine block then denied Asprilla, before Cabango smothered Lewis’ follow-up effort.

Suddenly, Watford had all the momentum – although Swansea might have retaken the lead when Placheta burst down the left flank before lashing across the face of goal.

Asprilla then had another opportunity to claim a winner – and seal Watford’s first home league victory since November – but he saw another shot blocked and Swansea scrambled clear.

Watford head coach Valerien Ismael:

“We changed some players. We changed first half the way to play. We changed a lot of things around the training ground, the schedule, just to make sure the players aware of the situation.

“It was difficult at half-time but we just said we have to stay in the game. We just need one goal.

“It’s a clear mental issue at the moment. We are working on it with the players but sometimes it takes time. We need that confidence.

“The best way to heal is to win a game. We have the chance now on Saturday. We focus now on that game and we go again.”

Swansea head coach Luke Williams:

“It is a couple [of points] dropped. We scored first and just about dominated the first half. From that position you have a choice to control the game more – you don’t have to frantically try to score any more.

“You can manage the game in a different way. We didn’t do that so we lost two points.

“The one-goal cushion wasn’t enough. We have to improve the way we finish games. We are starting games better but we have to finish better.

“If we are not going to be able to play with the same attacking threat, we have to manage the game in a different way and that’s something we are learning.”