Watford 0-0 Crystal Palace: Feisty Hornets halt losing streak ahead of new era

Watford ended a run of three successive Premier League defeats, but Hayden Mullins’ brief spell as interim manager concluded without a victory as Crystal Palace held them to a 0-0 draw.

The Hornets confirmed Nigel Pearson as their new manager on Friday, but he watched from the stands as Palace left Vicarage Road with a hard-earned point.

A first half of few chances was only notable for Wilfried Zaha’s display, as the Ivory Coast international was involved in a couple of flashpoints, seemingly angering his manager Roy Hodgson.

Watford dominated after the interval, with Gerard Deulofeu going close before substitute Ismaila Sarr enjoyed a lively cameo, failing to convert two decent opportunities.

Palace held on, and Zaha – who continued to get caught up in off-the-ball tussles – somewhat surprisingly managed to avoid earning a second yellow card, as Watford remain bottom and the visitors move above Manchester United into seventh for at least a few hours.

We fought hard, but couldn’t find the breakthrough.#WATCRY pic.twitter.com/YWJeXbk4Mb

— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) December 7, 2019