Ryan Andrews’ second-half equaliser secured Watford a 3-3 Championship draw from a topsy-turvy New 12 months’s Day thriller at Plymouth.
Visiting goalkeeper Ben Hamer made a superb stoppage-time save to disclaim Plymouth’s 13-goal high scorer Morgan Whittaker and central defender Lewis Gibson practically sealed it with a thumping 18-yard shot, which flew simply over within the remaining minute.
Regardless of torrential rain all through, Argyle and Watford served up an exhilarating, five-goal first half at Residence Park with Plymouth taking a 3-2 lead into half-time.
Watford have been rewarded for his or her brilliant begin within the eleventh minute when Matheus Martins reduce the ball again from the byeline following a fast throw-in on the proper.
Edo Kayembe profited with a scientific end, clipping the ball previous Conor Hazard at his close to publish.
Residence keeper Hazard did nicely to race out and forestall Watford taking a 2-0 lead after 13 minutes as he beat striker Rajovic to a via ball.
Two minutes earlier he had tipped over Ismael Kone’s goal-bound shot which was heading for the highest nook till Hazard’s well timed intervention.
Their lead didn’t final lengthy. Argyle levelled with a superb first-time side-foot volley from Finn Azaz – on mortgage from Aston Villa – from the sting of the field after 20 minutes.
Scorer turned creator seven minutes later as Azaz’s cross-field ball from left to proper set fellow playmaker Whittaker away down the proper.
High scorer Whittaker’s first shot was blocked however because it rebounded to him, he roofed dwelling a thundering strike to beat Hamer from an angle.
In addition to hitting the upright, Ryan Hardie noticed his Thirty fifth-minute shot beautifully save by Hamer, whereas – two minutes earlier – Andrews fired the ball simply previous the far publish.
Watford responded by levelling within the thirty eighth minute with one other very good aim as Kone performed a one-two with Mileta Rajovic earlier than sending a curling shot from the neglected of the attain of out-stretched goalkeeper Hazard.
There was nonetheless time for the hosts to regain the lead and once more they did in fashion with Whittaker releasing Scottish striker Hardie via the center of the Watford defence.
Hardie, who had earlier seen his 18th-minute effort come again off the publish, raced ahead earlier than sending a low shot previous Hamer, which gave the Watford stopper little likelihood because it flew off the floor and in.
In an end-to-end first half, either side had different golden alternatives to attain.
Hazard might do little when Andrews raced via on an incisive Jake Livermore via ball within the 57th minute to cleverly make it 3-3.
Andrews clipped the ball previous marker Bali Mumba after which flicked it over Hazard to stage.
Hamer made a top-drawer acrobatic save to maintain the rating to 3-3 as he went full-stretch to maintain out Azaz’s 78th-minute goal-bound free-kick from the sting of the field because the spoils have been shared.
The managers
Plymouth director of soccer Neil Dewsnip:
Watford keeper Ben Hamer made two unbelievable saves on the finish of the sport. Credit score to the keeper, they’re two top-class saves to cease us successful the sport.
“There was just one thing missing today. We want to win. We seem to be having the same conversation, don’t we? Birmingham, Cardiff and now Watford. The players are playing some attractive football and we want to do that.
“We wish them to attain two, three targets each sport however we additionally must discover a method of stopping letting so many in after which we are able to win a couple of extra video games.
“It was an exciting game of football and two very attack-minded teams. It was quite open, a little too open at times for my liking but I am sure the fans have enjoyed every second.
“I assumed we most likely did sufficient, notably in the direction of the top, to win the sport. I assumed all of the targets have been completely different however all high quality finishes.
“Let’s not forget, we are not all about entertaining. Of course, entertainment is important but we want to win so the lads are again disappointed they have not won the game. I thought momentum was with us towards the end of the game.
“The gamers who’ve come on to the pitch have added to that momentum, credit score to them, and we’re disillusioned – not dissimilar to after we performed at Cardiff – that we’ve got not received.”
Watford’s Valerien Ismael:
“Attacking-wise we performed nicely however defensively, particularly within the first half, we weren’t secure sufficient.
“We knew that the transition from Plymouth are dangerous and we had to be more aggressive. We took a step back.
“The second half was higher, particularly the primary half-hour. We performed nicely and stayed calm and handed the ball and deserved to attain the aim.
“At the end, both teams wanted to win the game but at the same time not wanting to lose it. It was a little bit chaotic but very entertaining for the fans.
“Particularly after we come again to 2-2, at that time we have to keep calm, extra composure and to remain within the sport.
“It is always a learning process for us and in the second half it was better, especially with the ball into the final third.
“We’re scoring targets and we’re enjoying nicely.
“The Bristol game gives us the wrong picture from this period, because we have played Blackburn away, Plymouth away – strong teams at home – and we played a great game against Stoke but the red card changed the game.
“You may blame us for the Bristol sport, it was a nasty day however the mentality of the gamers to come back again right this moment towards a powerful facet at dwelling was good.
“We have a got a good feeling we can be better and the January and February period will give us more energy, belief and consistency.”