Leeds United 3-3 Watford: Hornets Throw Away Two-Goal Lead In Elland Road Thriller

by Josh Challies

Watford threw away a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 at Elland Road this afternoon, condemning the Hornets to continue their run of eight league games without a win. Troy Deeney put Watford ahead after 12 minutes and Christian Battocchio gave the visitors a two-goal cushion at the interval, but this was immediately cut-back at the beginning of the second period as Danny Pugh scored from a tight angle. Matt Smith pulled Leeds level after 56 minutes before Ross McCormack put his side ahead for the first time in the game with his 15th of the season €“ it wasn't over yet though, as five minutes before the final whistle Troy Deeney equalised with his second of the game. Troy Deeney put the visitors in front in the 12th minute as he latched onto the loose ball and fired his shot home for his eighth goal of the season. Just before half-time Danny Pugh appealed for a Leeds penalty but received a yellow card for diving, before Watford hit their hosts on the counter-attack and doubled their lead through Christian Battocchio. The home side started the second half in better fashion and pulled a goal back in the 50th minute as Danny Pugh fought off his man and found the far corner of the net from a tight angle. Leeds continued their dominance and soon found an equaliser in the 56th minute €“ Ross McCormack chipped a cross to Matt Smith who headed easily into the gaping net. A few minutes later they almost took the lead for the first time in the match, forcing Bond to a point-blank save €“ from the resulting corner Watford needed their keeper to claw the ball off the line. Alex Mowatt then hit the underside of the bar as Leeds continued to apply pressure to the visitors. Leeds thought they'd taken the lead in the 77th minute as Ross McCormack headed into the back of the net but the official on the far side had raised his flag €“ moments later he did find the net, taking down Luke Murphy's long ball forward and poked home his 15th of the campaign. However Watford grabbed an equaliser four minutes before full-time with Troy Deeney securing a brace as he latched onto the rebound after Kenny parried a shot from distance. The draw ends Leeds' run of consecutive wins at home and they miss the chance to move up to fifth in the league, while Watford still search for the win that alludes them.

Contributor
Contributor

Josh has had work featured in the Evening Gazette and on Newcastle United website. He is a Multimedia Journalism student at Teesside University and runs a successful sports blog. He also enjoys films, comics and TV, writing about anything he can. Josh has recently started writing his first of what he hopes will be many books.