Match Report: Watford 1-1 Stoke City

Jake Livermore scored his first goal for Watford, but it was negated by a goal from Ryan Mmaee in the first half of the game. The match ended 1-1 in a fiercely competitive clash at Vicarage Road.

Livermore took the lead as a result of Ryan Porteous' deflection from a corner that led the way for the midfielder to attack, while Mmaee managed to even the score just past the 30-minute mark.

During the second half of the game, Vakoun Bayo received a red card due to his aggressive behavior. However, the Watford team played with only ten players and managed to prevent the opposing team from scoring, earning themselves a tie in their last home game of the year 2023.

Valérien Ismaël, the main coach, decided to switch things up in the team by making six changes. This was done because some players needed a rest and others had minor injuries. The previous game on Boxing Day ended in a 4-1 loss against Bristol City.

During the first 10 minutes, both teams failed to pose any threat to their opposing goalkeeper. The only effort made during the early stages of the game was a shot from Livermore that missed the target.

Ismaël's team has six new starters, including Matheus Martins. He took a shot that was deflected and went out for a corner. The set-piece was taken by Giorgi Chakvetadze, and Porteous flicked the ball. Then Livermore pushed the ball in, scoring his first goal in yellow.

The Golden Boys were dominating the game in front of their supporters by regulating the pace. Martins had another opportunity to score, yet his last strike missed the goal and hit the side net.

Yáser Asprilla hit a powerful shot towards the goal that was stopped by the former player of the Watford team, Jack Bonham. The ball had landed outside the penalty area after a corner. On the opposite side of the field, Mmaee managed to make Ben Hamer drop a cross, but no harm was done in the end.

Soon after, Mmaee managed to score a goal to level the game. He skillfully controlled a pass that bounced off Sead Hakšabanovic and expertly shot it into the far corner of the goal.

As the first half drew to a close, the intensity of the game heightened and referee Scott Oldham issued a number of yellow cards. Ismaël Koné received one for raising his foot too high, Junior Tchamadeu was booked for a foul he committed against Asprilla off the ball, and Head Coach Ismaël was also reprimanded for protesting from the sidelines.

Chakvetadze started the second half in a high-spirited manner, as Bonham stretched his arm to deflect his bending shot over the crossbar.

Bayo was fired shortly after an altercation with Luke McNally. It was reported that the Ivorian kicked the Irishman.

Bae Jun-Ho made a play, but Hamer stopped the visitors with a low save. Hamer also saved a shot from Mmaee a few minutes later.

Jun-Ho, a young player from South Korea, skillfully maneuvered past James Morris and prepared to take a shot from the right side of the field. However, Livermore quickly jumped in to block the attempt, preventing a potential goal on Hamer's side of the field.

Even though they were outnumbered, the Golden Boys showed great courage and determination by fighting hard and managing to secure a valuable point in their last game. They will now face Plymouth Argyle in an away game on New Year's Day at 3pm.