Watford 2-2 Southampton: Player ratings

Southampton settled with a 2-2 draw at Vicarage Road against Watford, after losing a two-goal first half lead.

A 90th minute equalizer by Abdoulaye Doucoure will undoubtedly be the talking point. Replay clearly showed the goal was handled into the back of the net. However, it was the same old story for Southampton, giving up a second half lead, after doing everything to protect it.

The Saints built the lead with two goals by James Ward-Prowse. Shane Long deserves some credit as he started both attacks, but the finishes by Ward-Prowse were class. His second goal, from a great counter-attack before half time, appeared to give Southampton control of the match.

Watford manager Marco Silva was a catalyst in the comeback.  Making two changes before the start of the second half, changing the game.  Troy Deeney made an immediate impact against a Southampton side that rarely looked to go forward.

Andre Gray scored in the 57th minute to make it 1-2 and the game turned entirely in Watford’s favor.

Saints fans watched as their team displayed thirty minutes of stout defense.  However, they will be shouting for VAR, after the Doucoure goal which should never have been allowed.

Mauricio Pellegrino’s future will be even more in question after another Southampton lead surrendered.  Particularly because it appeared he was not going to make a substitution, with two in his pocket to close out the game.

Here are the player ratings for Southampton.