MX23RW : Friday, January 31 11:16:10| >> :120:15045:15045:
[monks data]
Nottingham Forest logo
Championship
Apr 15, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
Watford logo

1-3

Gardner (72')
FT(HT: 0-2)
Ighalo (4'), Connolly (41'), Abdi (87')

Watford hang on to beat Nottingham Forest at the City Ground

Watford climb to third in the Championship table with a 3-1 win away at Nottingham Forest.

Watford have picked up three more points in their quest for promotion with a 3-1 win away at Nottingham Forest.

Forest almost took the lead with the first attack of the game as the ball broke to Chris Burke at the far post, but he was denied by the legs of Heurelho Gomes.

However, the Hornets took the lead just two minutes later as an Almen Abdi corner was flicked to the back post, where Odion Ighalo headed home.

Adlène Guédioura of Watford tackles Michail Antonio of Nottingham Forest during the Sky Bet Championship match between Nottingham Forest and Watford at City Ground on April 15, 2015© Getty Images

The hosts responded well and forced Gomes into further saves from Michail Antonio and Ben Osborn from close range, before Abdi wasted a golden chance to put Watford 2-0 up as he toed the ball wide when one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

Both sides continued to create chances in an open game as Adlene Guedioura went close from just outside the box with a curling effort that went over the bar.

Antonio tested Gomes again with a stinging shot from 25 yards, before Forest keeper Karl Darlow was then forced into a low diving save to keep out an Abdi free kick.

Watford doubled their lead on the stroke of half time as Matthew Connolly played a one-two with Ighalo and slotted the ball past Darlow.

Matthew Connolly of Watford celebrates scoring their second goal with Odion Ighalo of Watford (R) during the Sky Bet Championship match between Nottingham Forest and Watford at City Ground on April 15, 2015© Getty Images

Forest were reduced to 10 men after the break as Kelvin Wilson was shown a straight red card for lashing out at Igahlo.

However, they got themselves back into the game through a Gary Gardner free kick and almost equalised through Antonio, who miscued his effort when faced with an open goal.

That proved costly as Watford wrapped up the victory thanks to Abdi's powerful low finish.

ID:217375: cacheID:217375:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4795:
Written by
Charlie Bennett
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Odion Ighalo of Watford (front) celebrates with Lloyd Dyer as he scores their first goal during the Sky Bet Championship match against Brentford on September 30, 2014
Read Next:
Half-Time Report: Ighalo, Connolly put Watford ahead
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds29179353193460
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd29186540211958
3Burnley29151223692757
4Sunderland291510442241855
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom291014538251344
6Middlesbrough29128947361144
7Blackburn RoversBlackburn29126113228442
8Bristol City29101183734341
9Watford29125124041-141
10Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds29118104245-341
11Norwich CityNorwich29109104842639
12Coventry CityCoventry29108113938138
13Queens Park RangersQPR2991193237-538
14Millwall29910102826237
15Preston North EndPreston2981383236-437
16Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2999113343-1036
17Swansea CitySwansea2997133240-834
18Cardiff CityCardiff29710123344-1131
19Hull City2978143038-829
20Stoke CityStoke29611122636-1029
21Portsmouth2978143652-1629
22Derby CountyDerby2976163240-827
23Luton TownLuton2975172948-1926
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth29410152762-3522


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!