WATCH: Watford 0-0 Boro
Sunday 15 January 2017 00:02, UK
Watford were held to a goalless draw by Middlesbrough on an emotional afternoon at Vicarage Road following the recent death of Graham Taylor.
Taylor, the former Watford manager and chairman who is hailed by the club as the greatest manager in their history, died on Thursday following a suspected heart attack.
Watford paid a glowing tribute to their former manager ahead of Saturday's match, with Taylor's widow Rita among those to join in on a one-minute applause ahead of the Premier League clash.
Watford had the better of the match, but spurned a number of good chances. In the opening period, Etienne Capoue was guilty of failing to test Victor Valdes after he charged down a Middlesbrough clearance.
Tom Cleverley made his second debut for the club after the midfielder, on loan from Everton, replaced Valon Behrami with 14 minutes remaining, and he almost had an immediate effect.
The former Manchester United midfielder pounced on a loose clearance in the Boro box, but his effort came back off the post. Capoue blazed the follow-up over Valdes' bar.
Captain Troy Deeney then had the chance to win the match in the closing minutes but his effort trickled agonisingly wide of Valdes' post.
That would be as good as it got for the Hornets as a chorus of boos greeted the final whistle.
