- Hornets strike first through Layun
- Barkley nets stunning equalizer
- Kone with goal, assist
- Ighalo beats Stones for Watford’s 2nd goal
Ross Barkley and Odion Ighalo traded late goals as Watford picked up a surprising point in its Premier League return, drawing Everton 1-1 at Goodison Park on Saturday.
Mexican international Miguel Layun scored on his Watford debut, while Arouna Kone scored Everton’s other goal.
[ WATCH: Barkley’s bullet | Full match replays ]
The Hornets struck first, sending the traveling fans into a frenzy. Phil Jagielka turned a Watford cross back up the middle, and Layun belted a shot across Howard and into the goal.
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3009 – Miguel Layún is the first Watford player to score a PL goal since Marlon King in May 2007, 3009 days ago. Welcome.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 8, 2015
[ VIDEO: Premier League highlights ]
Everton had the better of play moving forward, but Quique Flores’ club was prepared to defend the Toffees’ attack. Heurelho Gomes was on the scene several times, including a leaping tip save of a tricky Kevin Mirallas cross/shot.
Martinez brought off outside back Brendan Galloway for offensive hope in Arouna Kone. Would the 63rd minute move open up the 1-0 game?
A red-worthy foul from Valon Behrami on Mirallas forced the Belgian from the game, but he’d quickly return to the pitch despite apparent and understandable agony.
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Barkley found a deserved equalizer in the 76th minute, as Kone laid the ball off to the young Englishman just outside the 18. Barkley then hammered a out-swerving shot into the upper corner. 1-1.
Then came 20-goal Championship man Ighalo, who took John Stones to school with a cutting move and ensuing shot from outside the 18. The 26-year-old Lagos-born forward had restored Watford’s lead.
Hold on! Kone came back less than two minutes later, latching onto a beautiful hold and pass from Romelu Lukaku to beat Gomes across the goal. 2-2!
