Injury-time Digne free kick earns Everton a point

Prior to the game, Everton have never lost at home to Watford, winning 11 of their 12 meetings in all competitions and drawing the other. Marco Silva’s men left it to the death to maintain this record, preventing Watford from winning at Goodison Park for the first time. 

The 'Toffees' went about maintaining this record in the perfect way, taking the lead after a quarter of a hour. In a first half where chances were few and far between, there was only going to be one man to open the scoring.

Former ‘Hornets’ midfielder Richarlison put his side ahead after a well-worked Everton move. The 21-year-old had netted three goals in his last three home Premier League games, one more than he scored in his previous 22. Prior to the game, the Brazilian forward had also scored seven goals in 13 Premier League outings this season, two more than he managed in 38 games for Watford in 2017-18. That turned in to eight, as he came back to haunt his former employers.

Seamus Coleman and Richarlison combined well with some neat build-up play as they advanced through the Watford wing. After playing a one-two Coleman whipped in a dangerous cross, which Richarlison hit first time. The ball flew past Ben Foster and in to the back of the net, however many Watford players protested the goal. Theo Walcott was involved in the move, however adjudged not to have been ‘active in play’ and therefore not offside. The officials got it wrong, as replays clearly show that Walcott had touched the ball. Tough luck for the visitors.

Following a drab opening half, and start to the second, the game burst to life during a scintillating ten minute spell. After little luck in the opening forty five minutes, Watford were handed the rub of the green. Pereyra did brilliantly down the left hand side to work it past an Everton player and curl an effort at Pickford’s goal. Pereyra is Watford's top scorer in the Premier League this season with five goals, but he has not scored or assisted in six hours and 33 minutes, this was soon to change.

He got two assists in two minutes after Pereyra’s effort clipped the inside of Pickford’s post, however rebounded out and hit Seamus Coleman’s foot. The Republic of Ireland international was helpless as the ball trickled in past Pickford.

Clearly invigoration, the visitors even managed to get their noses ahead and scored two goals in two minutes. Watford were looking to avoid four consecutive Premier League defeats for the first time since December 2017, and they took a big step to that milestone after Doucoure powered a header home in the 64th minute. Again, Pereyra put in the hard work and floated in an inviting cross, which was gratefully met by Abdoulaye Doucoure.

Despite the Watford resurgence, Marco Silva’s side were awarded an early Christmas present after Yerry Mina was upended in the Watford penalty area by Kabasele. Referee Kevin friend pointed to the spot, with Gylfi Sigurðsson stepping up to take the penalty on his 50th Everton appearance.

Former England international Ben Foster dived the wrong way, however left his legs trailing in the middle of the goal. He managed to volley the ball away with his feet and prevent three goals being scored in the space of four minutes, a brilliant stop. 

Watford have kept just one clean sheet in their last 13 away league matches, and their defensive vulnerabilities began to show later on in the fixture. A sloppy free kick was awarded in the 95th minute of stoppage time, which former Barcelona full-back Lucas Digne stood over. The Frenchman curled a sublime free kick over the wall and past Ben Foster, his first goal for the club and a priceless equaliser.