Watford 0 Middlesbrough 0: Watch highlights as Hornets couldn’t find the goal to beat Middlesbrough to cap off an emotional day after paying tribute to legendary manager Graham Taylor before kick-off

WATFORD pushed for a goal to beat Middlesbrough in a special day that saw the club pay tribute to Graham Taylor after he passed away on Thursday. 

The Hornets nearly scored with January loan signing Tom Cleverly who clattered the post in the 82nd minute which would have seen Vicarage Road erupt for many reasons.

PA:Press Association

Reuters

PA:Press Association

Watford and Middlesbrough really struggled to get in to the full swing of things in the first half in a very dull opening, just two places and three points separated them before today’s game.

After the break Watford fans were chanting for their team to attack and excite their fans, and the team took note as a Etienne Capoue cross was met by Stefano Okaka who was denied by former Barca keeper Victor Valdes.

FACTS, STATS, GOALS AND LOLS

• The football world at its finest. Watford did their former manager and his family proud with the tributes – and the away fans joined in with chants of There’s Only One Graham Taylor.
• Watford boss Walter Mazzarri was boosted by the return of Stefano Okaka and Valon Behrami from injury although Daryl Janmaat is still out with a leg problem.
• Middlesbrough need to up their game in front of goal. It was clear to see whey they are the joint-lowest scorers in the Premier League this season with 17 goals.
• Tom Cleverely started on the bench after signing on loan for Watford from Everton until the end of the season but the Hornets can only hope he can replicate his last spell here in 2009 when he netted 11 goals. He came off the bench on the 75th minute and hit the post not long after.
• Etienne Capoue had the perfect chance to put the Hornets ahead as early as the 11th minute only for his first touch to let him down. He then fluffed another chance on the 63rd minute.
• Watford’s injury woes increased. Keeper Heurelho Gomes had to come off with a back problem on tthe 64th nminute to be replaced by Costel Pantilimon.
• Rudy Gestede made his first appearance for Boro since his £6 million move from Villa Park.
• Both teams had just one league win in the last six before kick-off and were keen to avoid a defeat which would leave either side uncomfortably close to the bottom three. Not surprisingly it was a tense affair at times.
• Watford had enough chances to seal victory
• Middlesbrough on this viewing will have to buck up their ideas to avoid going straight back to the Championship.

BIG PICTURE

SOCIAL SAYS

DREAM TEAM RATINGS

WATFORD

Gomes 6 (Pantilimon 6, 66) , Kaboul 7, Prodl 6, Britos Cabrera 6, Kabasele 6, Capoue 7, Behrami 6 (Cleverley 6, 77), Holebas 6 (Zuniga 6, 89), Doucoure 6, Okaka 6, Deeney 6

Subs not used: Cathcart, Sinclair, Watson, Ighalo

Booked: Britos Cabrera, Deeney, Okaka

MIDDLESBROUGH

Valdes 8, Chambers 6, Espinosa 7 , Gibson 6 , Friend 6, Fabio 7, De Roon 7 , Leadbitter 6, Forshaw 6, Stuani 7 (Gestede 6, 65), Negredo 6

Subs not used: Guzan, Fry, Traore, Clayton, Downing, Fischer

Booked: Fabio

STAR MAN: Victor Valdes 8

WHAT THEY SAID:

Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka said:  “It was not the best game to watch, for us it was a good game and we showed once again we are a consistent team.

“I would like to have had more chances but they are a strong team and we had to defend.