Watford 0-0 Tottenham

By Mike Burnett

Both sides fail to make the most of chances in a lively encounter

Watford remained winless in 10 league games after a lively, goalless draw against Tottenham at Vicarage Road.

Hornets winger Tommy Smith rued a wasted opportunity with an amazing miss from just three yards out after just seven minutes.

And Ashley Young's goal for the home side was controversially ruled out for offside just before the break.

Tottenham's Aaron Lennon was denied four times while Robbie Keane saw his effort cleared off the line late on.

Interview: Watford manager Aidy Boothroyd

Interview: Spurs head coach Martin Jol

Although Watford have yet to register a win since promotion to the Premiership, it wasn't due to lack of chances on Saturday.

The Hornets really should have been at least two-up by the break, after book-ending the first half with prime chances.

Smith set the mood seven minutes in with his miss from practically point blank range, shooting over an open goal after Danny Shittu brilliantly pulled back a cross from the right.

The home side had even more reason to feel this was not to be their day when Ashley Young's goal was disallowed five minutes before half-time.

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It added fuel to the calls for video referees debate as replays clearly showed Young was not offside after latching onto another Watford counter-attack and slotting the ball inside the left post.

Despite looking the more dangerous, Watford could not match Spurs for possession and keeper Ben Foster had to be at his best to deny a sparkling Lennon three times in the first half.

With Jermain Defoe on the bench after his arm-nibbling antics on West Ham's Javier Mascherano last week, it was up to Keane to spearhead the Spurs attack with Dimitar Berbatov.

And the Republic of Ireland international was unlucky to miss out seven minutes after the break when his attempt to slip the ball past the right post was denied by a Jay DeMerit back-heel.

But it was Lennon, who looked most likely to score, being denied yet again by keeper Foster in the 75th minute after another maze-like run into the box.

With this in mind, Defoe coming on for Keane shortly after was no surprise as manager Martin Jol sought to spice up this side's attack.

But it seemed too little too late with Tottenham unable to turn their superior possession into goals and Watford settling for the sixth draw in the Premiership this season.

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Watford boss Adrian Boothroyd:
"I have seen Ashley Young's effort again on TV, and it was a goal.

"This was a solid performance. We are becoming a difficult team to beat, and it is another step up the league table.

"We are starting to keep clean sheets on a regular basis, which can only be a good thing."

Tottenham boss Martin Jol on Aaron Lennon:
"Aaron had four great chances, and I would like him to score at least one out of four.

"But with Aaron, it will take one or two more years before he is in that position.

"His pace means he will always get chances to score, but that is something that will come with experience."

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Watford: Foster, Doyley, DeMerit, Shittu, Stewart, Smith, Mahon, Francis, Bouazza, Henderson, Young.
Subs Not Used: Lee, Mackay, Powell, Bangura, Priskin.

Booked: DeMerit, Bouazza, Mahon.

Tottenham: Robinson, Chimbonda, King, Dawson, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Jenas, Huddlestone, Ghaly (Murphy 67), Keane (Defoe 76), Berbatov.
Subs Not Used: Cerny, Davids, Gardner.

Booked: Jenas.

Att: 19,660

Ref: U Rennie (S Yorkshire).