Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship match between Coventry and Watford at the Coventry Building Society Arena as goals from Matty Godden and Ben Sheaf earned the Sky Blues a comeback point.
Monday 10 April 2023 19:21, UK
Coventry and Watford played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at the CBS Arena that did little for their respective play-off dreams in the Championship.
First-half goals from Joao Pedro and Imran Louza put the Hornets 2-0 up but Matthew Godden and Ben Sheaf rescued a point for the Sky Blues.
Coventry sit three points off the play-off places with Watford a further three points off the pace with five games remaining.
Just like their previous home game against Stoke, Coventry conceded early as Pedro found the back of the net after six minutes.
Following an interception in the centre of midfield, Pedro was released on goal and cut inside Kyle McFadzean before slotting his effort elegantly past goalkeeper Ben Wilson.
Gustavo Hamer provided Coventry's first spark of the afternoon as he dribbled into the box, but saw his powerful effort parried away by Ben Hamer.
The home side enjoyed a good spell in the game but were nearly caught napping in the 18th minute as Ismaila Sarr raced through on goal but slammed his shot high into the stands.
The Watford pace on the break was fierce and the Sky Blues needed Wilson multiple times to scramble out of goal and clear the danger.
Josh Wilson-Esbrand and Viktor Gyokeres both had opportunities to level the scoring but neither could make them count before the break.
Against the run of play, Watford doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time through midfielder Louza. His initial shot was blocked, but the ball rebounded back to the Moroccan's feet and he duly volleyed into the bottom right corner.
Watford burst out of the traps in the second period, hoping to finish off the match with a third goal and almost got exactly that, but Wilson was equal to Louza's shot.
Coventry rallied and the home side began an onslaught on the visitor's goal.
They pulled one back in the 58th minute thanks to a marvellous curling effort from Godden.
Sheaf failed to hit the target twice from close range but with 18 minutes left it was his back-post header that levelled the scores.
But the home side were frustrated in their attempts to find a winner and felt they should have had a penalty when Brooke Norton-Cuffy appeared to be tripped in the penalty area with nine minutes left.
Watford were shellshocked and could count themselves lucky to leave the West Midlands with a point, despite their dominant half-time position.
Coventry's Mark Robins:
"We were rubbish first half, brilliant second half. We gave ourselves a mountain to climb. We cannot do that, especially against a team like them who have speed merchants. Unfortunately we allowed them to run off the back of us, and once they are away, we are not catching them.
"I am pleased with the second-half performance but I am really frustrated we did not get the three points. It looked like there was only going to be one winner. We got into good positions but we chose the wrong option from time to time. We need to start using the spare man better."
Watford's Chris Wilder:
"It's three games now where we've been in front and not had the confidence or belief to see it out. The first half was a great away performance, we scored two goals and we went looking for a third at the start of the second half. We should have found it (the third goal) and that is my little criticism. mThey get a goal from a couple of mistakes and the picture changes.
"Maybe a point for both sides has not done either of us any favours. Five games left - I said to the players I will go to the final whistle of the season. I'll demand everything of the players. We have an obligation to the fans to go right to the end."
