Watford Hit Back Late To Spoil Saints Party After Shane Long Makes Premier League History By Smashing The Ten Second Barrier! Match Highlights. Player Ratings. Manager Comments. And Stats.
By: Marc Gingell
Match Details
| 23-04 | Vicarage Road | Watford (7) | 1-1 | Southampton (16) |
| KO:19.45 | ATT: 19,170 | Andre Gray 90′ | Shane Long 1′ | |
| REF: M Dean | ||||
Shane Long Vicarage Road 23 April 2019 – 7 Seconds!
Shane Long’s a likable character even when he’s going through a dry spell which could last a whole season! But he will always put himself in where it hurts and often takes one for the team. When balls are played in the channel he will momentarily looked down at his legs before he gets them pumping. It’s as if he’s telling his legs to get there!
He’s had a barren spell but, three goals in his last 181 minutes on the pitch, puts him on a current goal ratio of one every 60 minutes which isn’t bad! It’s also nice for him that he’s a history maker and receiving positive headlines for a change.
How Long Broke Ten Second Barrier!
Watford kicked off and passed the ball back about 30 yards to their centre back Craig Cathcart. He hit it first time in an attempt to launch it upfield. Long, who began his run as soon as referee Mike Dean blew his whistle, charged down Cathcart’s effort and the ball broke kindly for him. Still with work to do Long used one more touch before he dinked it over the advancing Ben Foster. Only another 89 minutes and 53 seconds to hold on!
Ledley King At Valley Parade 9 December 2000 – 10 Seconds!
How could former Tottenham central defender Ledley King, in the good old days when the ball had to go forward from the kickoff, score a Premier League goal in only ten seconds? It would have to have to come from a corner or set piece and they take at last 30 seconds to complete.
Sol Campbell and Chris Perry help answer that question as, back in December 2000, the 20 year old King still had legs that enabled him to play in midfield. Later, when he had to be wrapped in cotton wool between games, he excelled at centre half.
Also back in December 2000, Bradford City played in the Premier League and, like Watford, they played out a draw with their early scoring visitors thanks to an 89th minute equaliser from Benito Carbone. But this game ended 3-3.
King struck from about 30 yards after taking the ball down on his chest. City’s keeper Matt Clark didn’t appear to make any kind effort to save it. Jamie Lawrence equalised after nine minutes before Sol Cambell and Chris Armstrong gave Tottenham a 3-1 lead. Dean Windas made it 3-2 on 69 minutes which set up the exciting finish.
Manchester United won the title that season with 80 points, ten more than second-placed Arsenal, and Tottenham were back the 12th. Bradford City finished last with 26 points and were relegated with Manchester City and Coventry. Southampton finished 10th and Watford finished 9th in what is now The Championship. The previous season they were relegated from the Premier League after finishing last with 24 points.
Dramatic Compelling Game
A few seconds after Long’s opener Andre Gray had a great chance as he found himself clear and in space in Southampton’s box from a pass by Will Hughes. Angus Gunn saved and Gray could only head over the rebound.
At this point, the game looked full off goals and one you couldn’t take your eyes off for a second.
Gerard Deulofeu came close as he weaved a piece of his magic on the edge of Southampton’s box. Long, Nathan Redmond, and Ryan Bertrand all had chances to put this game to bed for Southampton but they failed to take them. They were made to pay when Andre Gray stabbed home from six-yards right at the end of normal time.
Mike Dean ‘Ref Watch’
Deep into added time Mike Dean had his whistle in his mouth and a perfect opportunity to add to his 100 Red Card tally as Watford defender Christian Kabasele appeared to foul Redmond who could have been in on goal. Kabasele, booked in the 75th minute for a foul on Long, might have had to go. But Dean, who might be going soft, didn’t blow!
In fairness to Dean he handled the game very well. It was tough with both sides fully committed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bROW_k-pYA
Player Ratings
Watford: Foster (7), Masina (6), Kabasele (5), Cathcart (3), Janmaat (5), Doucoure (5), Capoue (5), Pereyra (6), Hughes (6), Deulofeu (7), Gray (7)
Subs: Femenia (6), Success (5)
Southampton: Gunn (5), Bertrand (6), Bednarek (6), Yoshida (7), Stephens (7), Ward-Prowse (7), Hojbjerg (6), Romeu (6), Redmond (7), Armstrong (5), Long (8)
Subs: Sims (6), Lemina (5), Valery (n/a)
Man of the match: Shane Long
Opta Stats
- Southampton have dropped a league-high 25 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season.
- This is the first time Watford have accumulated as many as 50 points in a Premier League season, last doing so in the top-flight in 1986-87 (63).
- Watford have conceded at least once in their last nine Premier League games, the longest current run without a clean sheet in the competition.
- Southampton have lost just one of their last 10 top-flight away games against Watford, though seven of those have ended level (W2).
- Southampton striker Shane Long has scored three goals in his last four Premier League games, as many as he had in his previous 60 in the competition.
- Andre Gray has scored four goals in his last six home games for Watford in all competitions.
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