Match Report: Watford equalise late but fall short in poor 1-1 draw at Sheff Wed

Vivaldo Semedo scored his second late equaliser of the season against Sheffield Wednesday, but Watford were still held to a disappointing 1-1 draw at Hillsborough.

Ahead of a block of four matches that promised plenty, victory in South Yorkshire felt non-negotiable - but the performance didn't merit any more than the point they earned late on.

The Hornets could have gone ahead early, Edo Kayembe hitting the post and Luca Kjerrumgaard twice missing from close range, but a second half that should have seen them go through the gears produced a tepid effort.

They failed to create much of note after the break and were punished as Jerry Yates headed in a winner from one of a number of dangerous Wednesday breaks.

In the final stages, Pierre Ekwah's long-ranger was spilled by Pierce Charles and Semedo was on hand to turn in after a scramble.

Much like the draw at Vicarage Road in December, though, the ultimate feeling was one of huge disappointment after a big opportunity missed.

It does actually move them closer to the top six after Wrexham lost to Hull City, but an improvement will be needed if that is to become close to a reality.

Imran Louza and Edo Kayembe at Hillsborough (Image: Alan Cozzi/Watford FC)

Wednesday caused a few issues by pressing high in the early stages, but it was Watford who went agonisingly close to hitting the front inside the first 10 minutes.

First, Kayembe crashed an effort goalwards from Kjerrumgaard's flick-on, the strike hitting the inside of the post and bouncing across the goal-line.

A few minutes later, Kjerrumgaard should have steered an effort on target after Giorgi Chakvetadze's fine run and cross, but sent it just wide.

The Hornets were doing all the running in terms of chance creation, Kjerrumgaard seeing an effort blocked after 17 minutes when Nestory Irankunda won a header on the edge of the box.

Jeremy Petris had to come off with an arm injury midway through the half, somewhat disrupting Watford's momentum - with Marc Bola coming on at left-back and James Abankwah moving to right-back.

Jeremy Petris goes off injured (Image: Alan Cozzi/Watford FC)

Yates hit the side-netting for Wednesday before Chakvetadze did the same at the other end when he dribbled into the box from a Kayembe pass.

The hosts were clearly growing in confidence, though, and Saba Goglichidze was booked just after the hour mark for blocking a long pass with his arm, a sign that the the visitors were far from settled.

They were soon on the front foot again, however, and Kjerrumgaard saw a point-blank effort brilliantly saved by Pierce Charles after Bola's low cross. Between his two big chances, the Dane really ought to have scored.

The Hornets had to field a couple of long throws into their box as a frustrating opening period came to an end.

The second half started in similar fashion and Jamal Lowe shot straight at Egil Selvik as Wednesday looked a threat on the break.

Giorgi Chakvetadze (Image: Alan Cozzi/Watford FC)

And it was one of those counter-attacks that eventually led to the opening goal, a cross from the right drifted in for Jerry Yates to head past Selvik.

Watford had lost their way and were again all over the place at the back moments later, Louza clearing off the line from Lowe's driven effort.

Two red cards followed, though neither were for players. Watford assistant Karim Belhocine and a Wednesday assistant were sent to the stands after coming to blows following a Jaden Heskey foul on Marc Bola.

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The ill-tempered period continued as Abankwah and Tayo Adaramola were booked, as Watford continued to run into a brick wall in the final third.

A series of subs were thrown on but it made little difference, the Hornets barely threatening the hosts' goal.

Wednesday were faster and sharper to everything, defending their goal with real pride - but were undone in the 90th minute when Semedo scrambled in an equaliser that was hardly coming.

It offered the Hornets something of a reprieve but this was still a poor result.

Watford: Selvik; Petris (Bola 24), Abankwah, Goglichidze, Mfuni; Louza, P. Mendy (Ekwah 65); Irankunda (Semedo 84), Kayembe (Bove 65), Chakvetadze (Ince 84); Kjerrumgaard

Unused subs: Baxter, Keben, Mullins, Nabizada