Watford manager Javi Gracia has admitted that the 3-3 draw against Bournemouth on Wednesday night could have ended in tears had it not been for the performance of keeper Ben Foster.
The Hornets stormed to a 2-0 lead courtesy of Troy Deeney's double, but were pegged back to 2-2 when Callum Wilson equalised in the 37th minute. Having taken the lead once again just a minute later, Gracia was left pulling his hair out as his side surrendered yet another lead to Ryan Fraser's 40th minute equaliser.
According to the Watford Observer, Gracia expressed his disappointment after the game, saying:
“We had the chance to kill the game with more control. We didn’t do it.”
Watford came under a barrage of Bournemouth
64 | What. A. Save.
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) January 2, 2019
A stunning reflex stop by Foster keeps out Wilson's close-range header.#watfordfc #BOUWAT [3-3]
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Speaking about his goalkeeper's performance, Gracia revelled:
“I call him Big Ben. When I arrived in England, I thought it was in London but now I know it’s in Watford. He’s playing very well and is very important.”
Whilst Troy Deeney
Speaking after the match he insisted:
“They know it. We know. But the referee bottled it on a few occasions today," he added, as reported by the Evening Express.
Up next for Watford is an away fixture against Woking in the FA Cup Third Round. After a hectic festive fixture list, Gracia will be looking to rest some of his key players for the games ahead.
Source : 90min