Sunderland’s last away game of the season was a drab 1-0 defeat to Watford where, like nearly every game since February, it felt like everything was in pre-season mode.
The Black Cats headed into the last away game of the season with nothing to play for but pride. That being said, the supporters were in full voice and were vocal in their tributes to the late Charlie Hurley, the greatest centre half the world has ever seen.
It’s been a season to forget for Watford, who also have nothing to play for. One win in seven games before today sums up the mood down there, although they seem happy with their latest appointment, Tom Cleverley.
Starting 11: Anthony Patterson, Trai Hume, Luke O’Nien, Dan Ballard, Aji Alese, Callum Styles, Pierre Ekwah, Jobe, Chris Rigg, Jack Clarke, Adil Aouchiche
Trai Hume and Adil Aouchiche came into the side for Timothée Pembélé and Bradley Dack. Other than that, everything else remained the same.
Watford dominated the first 15 minutes without testing Anthony Patterson, and Sunderland couldn’t get out of their own half. It soon became apparent that Mike Dodds had gone for a back five, with Alese at centre half and Styles at wing back. Jobe dropped into midfield with Ekwah, whilst Aouchiche was playing as the makeshift striker today.
On 20 we had a free kick near the corner flag which Jack Clarke took. His delivery was good and Ballard met it, but his header was cleared off the line by Ryan Porteous. Certainly the biggest chance of the game so far.
Not a lot happened for the remained of the half, until the break was approaching. We had two chances to open the scoring - firstly through Chris Rigg, who was one-on-one with the keeper but was denied by Bachmann, and then Trai Hume who forces a close-range save after some good work from Ekwah and Jobe.
Soon after the restart, Clarke latched onto a sloppy Watford pass and cut inside. However, he was crowded out and off-balance so the shot was just wide. Kayembe then tested Patterson with a fierce volley, which was well-struck but luckily straight at the keeper.
Watford fans were calling for Luke O’Nien to be sent off, after the defender deliberately handballed the ball to stop a counter-attack. He was probably lucky to just be booked, because he lept up and practically grabbed the ball mid-air.
Just after the hour mark Ryan Andrews gave Watford the lead, racing in behind Callum Styles and emphatically finishing hard and low past Anthony Patterson. Dodds immediately reacted by bringing Patrick Roberts and Abdoullah Ba on for Aouchiche and Rigg.
Sunderland had a good spell of possession and Roberts played in Ba, who lashed a shot goalwards but Bachmann was equal to it at the near post. Agonisingly, Styles was rushing in for a cut-back but Ba opted for the shot.
As full time was approaching Jack Clarke fed Hemir on the right wing in acres of space. The striker did well, feigning to shoot and squaring the ball to Roberts, but the winger couldn’t sort his feet out and totally fell over under no pressure, still looking for his first goal of the season.
Four minutes were added but it was totally irrelevant. We could have played for 6 hours and would never have looked like scoring. Another game ticked off before the club can limp over the line and sort this mess out in the summer (hopefully).
Full time: Watford 1-0 Sunderland
ALS Man of the Match: The fans
