West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Watford: Ismaila Sarr scores from own half, then misses penalty

Ismaila Sarr scored a spectacular David Beckham-style chip from his own half but then had a late penalty saved as Watford drew with West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns.

That came against the run of play, Watford keeper Daniel Bachmann having already been kept busy, with one superb save from Darnell Furlong’s volley and two from Karlan Grant – and there were more to follow as new man Jed Wallace again showed his class.

But Albion found an equalizer two minutes into first-half added time when Grady Diangana’s fine lofted pass found Grant, who took the ball down excellently before finishing right-footed from close range.

Watford remained on the back foot for much of the second half, yet they came closest to winning it when Sarr went down easily in the Albion penalty area under pressure from Semi Ajayi.

But Sarr’s spot-kick was tame, struck far too feebly to Button’s left – and the Albion keeper swooped to save.

It leaves Rob Edwards’ Watford with four points from two games, going into their next game – when they host another side with four points from two games – Vincent Kompany’s Burnley, at Vicarage Road on Friday.

They will both have an early chance to overtake Blackburn Rovers, the only side with a 100% record in the Championship after two games.

Steve Bruce’s Albion, by contrast, have now lost just three of their past 14 Championship games – and, although they have only drawn the first two matches, the Baggies have come from behind in both.

And, although they were hampered by the loss of big money January signing Daryl Dike with a thigh injury, they should still have plenty to feel positive about when they head to Blackburn on Sunday.

From the Sarr-blime to the ridiculous…

Sarr stole the show and made all the headlines as he unleashed his early contender for goal of the season with such a stunningly audacious piece of impudence – a wonder strike that drew comparison with any other goal in this very limited genre.

A young Beckham’s entrance on to football’s big stage, with that amazing effort at Selhurst Park in August 1996 maybe tops the bill,.

Only just ahead of similar pieces of brilliance from the likes of Xavi Alonso, Charlie Adam, Wayne Rooney or Nayim (from the halfway line) for Real Zaragoza, to cost Arsenal the 1995 European Cup Winners’ Cup.

But none of them, having netted from nearly 60 yards, then went on and missed from 12 yards in the same game.

Just as Sarr’s goal was sublime, his missed penalty was bordering on the ridiculous – as poor a spot kick as could be imagined.

‘A moment of genius’

West Bromwich Albion boss Steve Bruce told BBC Sport:

“Sometimes you don’t always get what you deserve, but that’s as good as I’ve seen us play and to do it against such a good side made it feel even better.

“It’s very frustrating that we didn’t go on to win but it was still a tremendous reaction from the players after conceding such a wonder goal against the run of play.

“It’s desperate news that we have lost Daryl Dike with a thigh injury in training. He so wants to play for his country at the World Cup, he’s a popular lad and he knew as soon as he’d done it.”

Watford manager Rob Edwards told BBC Sport:

“It was an incredible strike from Sarr. As soon as it left his foot I knew it was in.

“A moment of genius. It’s pretty special when you see a goal like that – and against the run of play too.

“It would have been pretty unjust if we had nicked that second goal from the penalty as Albion were up for it and were clearly the better side. But I’d have taken it.”