FA Premiership/Watford 0 Sheffield Utd 1:Neil Warnock's dream is to force the football world to mention his team's name alongside that of Manchester United, and it came a step closer last night. Only Alex Ferguson's aristocrats had beaten Watford here this season and Danny Webber's late goal saw the Blades' name added to that short list. It was no less than they deserved even if Webber was offside when Chris Morgan headed Keith Gillespie's free-kick on to the bar, from where it bounced down and was turned in.
Watford were far from full-strength, with Hammeur Bouazza and Ashley Young out along with Ben Foster and Marlon King. Chris Morgan and Christian Nade came into the side with the French forward finding space after Malky Mackay misjudged a ball in the 15th minute only for Gavin Mahon to bring him down as the penalty area beckoned.
Watford had the first meaningful shot on goal with Tommy Smith's 20-yard effort tipped over by Paddy Kenny even though the referee awarded a goal kick. When Watford did manage a corner, in the 22nd minute, Kenny pushed Henderson's shot off the line. But United had the clearest chance, 10 minutes before the end of the half. As Watford's defence pushed up Derek Geary headed the ball back into the penalty area and Nate was in the clear. The ball refused to fall kindly for him and the forward prodded wide.
At the interval Watford brought on Lloyd Doyley at right-back but he went missing within seconds of the restart as Nate scampered clear down the left. Although Gillespie came rushing in unmarked, the ball was rolled harmlessly across goal and out for a throw-in. It was a moment of good fortune for the Watford defence but not their last.
In the 50th minute Lee came out well to reach Geary's cross just before Rob Hulse did, and seconds later the full-back moved forward again, his cross reaching Nate whose header hit a post. With half an hour to play Gillespie scampered down the right and crossed but Nate's shot from eight yards flew at least the same distance above the bar.
WATFORD:Lee, Chambers, Mackay, DeMerit, Powell, Spring (Doyley 46), Francis, Mahon, McNamee (Shittu 72), Smith, Henderson. Subs not used:Chamberlain, Stewart, Priskin. Booked:Mahon, Henderson, Powell.
SHEFFIELD UTD:Kenny, Kozluk, Morgan, Davis (Bromby 30), Geary, Gillespie, Leigertwood, Jagielka, Alan Quinn (Kazim-Richards 83), Hulse, Nade (Webber 73). Subs not used:Montgomery, Law. Booked:Kozluk.
Referee: M Atkinson(W Yorkshire)
