Match Report: Watford 2-2 Leeds United

Watford led twice against table-topping Leeds United but ultimately had to settle for a point in Tom Cleverley’s first home game as Interim Head Coach.

Vakoun Bayo opened the scoring with his first goal since December, only for a spectacular Crysencio Summerville strike to drag the Yorkshire outfit level.

Emmanuel Dennis then restored the lead towards the end of an electric first-half showing from the Hornets, but Leeds substitute Mateo Joseph had the final say with a late equaliser just moments after his introduction from the bench.

Watford’s search for a first home league win since November goes on, but there is plenty of encouragement to be taken from a positive, front-foot performance against a Leeds side who have not tasted defeat in 14 Sky Bet Championship fixtures.

Cleverley named three changes to the side that beat Birmingham a fortnight ago, with Francisco Sierralta, Jamal Lewis and Bayo replacing James Morris, Ismaël Koné and Giorgi Chakvetadze.

There was also a change of shape, with the Hornets lining up in a 3-4-1-2 formation. Bayo partnered Dennis in attack, with Yáser Asprilla in a number 10 role.

Watford set up camp inside the Leeds half during the opening 10 minutes, with one of the sustained periods of pressure resulting in an Ilian Meslier save from Ryan Andrews’ low drive.

Shooting towards the Rookery in the first half, there were penalty appeals in the stand and on the pitch when Asprilla was felled by an Ethan Ampadu challenge but referee David Webb waved play on.

The visitors had barely even approached the Watford box during the opening quarter of an hour, Summerville having their first shot on goal with 16 minutes played. Daniel Bachmann tipped the curling effort wide of the post.

The Hornets’ dominance paid off shortly after the half-hour when Asprilla pulled back for Dennis, whose shot was saved by Meslier. Bayo was on hand to emphatically volley home on the follow up, prompting big celebrations inside The Vic.

It was the first goal conceded in open play by Leeds United in 2024.

Leeds needed a last-ditch Joe Rodon tackle to prevent Watford from doubling the lead a matter of minutes after the restart. The Welsh defender thwarted Dennis just as he was pulling the trigger having raced onto Asprilla’s through ball.

It proved a vital intervention for the league leaders, who drew level shortly after through a superb Summerville effort that curled into the far top corner.

The equaliser came against the run of play but didn’t dampen the Golden Boys’ attacking intent, with Pollock’s header from an Asprilla corner saved well by Meslier.

Watford were to go into the break ahead however, thanks largely to livewire attacker Dennis. The Nigerian won an important aerial challenge to start off a move that he then finished by cutting onto his left foot and expertly picking out the bottom corner to restore the advantage at the end of an outstanding first-half display.

Still awaiting his first goal in yellow, Pollock went close once more from an Asprilla corner soon after the interval, heading wide of the target.

Bachmann was then twice called into action at the other end, first denying Summerville at the near post and then clawing away a deflected Georginio Rutter shot from just under the bar.

Dennis’ evening came to a premature end on 58 minutes through injury, with Koné taking his place.

The second half was proving to be a more even affair, with Leeds patiently seeking a way back into the game as Watford protected their valuable lead.

Fresh from Euro 2024 qualifying heartache with Wales in midweek, Dan James was next to test Bachmann, a shot from distance that the Austrian goalkeeper was equal to.

Cleverley called for a further reinforcement from the bench with 10 minutes left on the clock, Tom Ince replacing the tiring Asprilla.

Leeds boss Daniel Farke introduced substitute Joseph in the 85th minute and the young Spaniard made an instant impact, converting from close range at the second attempt after seeing an initial shot blocked by Ryan Porteous.

Then fellow substitute Jadon Anthony drew a superb reaction save from Bachmann as all of a sudden the Hornets found themselves clinging on for a point.

Bayo was withdrawn for Mileta Rajović in the final moments of normal time and Watford successfully navigated five additional minutes to get over the line with a hard-earned draw.