In a match against Stoke, Watford secured a 1-1 draw despite being reduced to 10 men early in the second half.
Jake Livermore’s first goal for Watford was equalized by Ryan Mmaee before halftime. Vakoun Bayo was sent off with a straight red card in the 52nd minute for an altercation with Luke McNally. Despite being a man down, Stoke couldn’t find a winner.
Watford’s head coach, Valerian Ismael, made six changes to the team that lost 4-1 to Bristol City on Boxing Day, including giving Giorgi Chakvetadze his first start. Stoke made changes as well, bringing in Ben Pearson and Sead Haksabanovic after their 3-1 win against Birmingham.
Livermore opened the scoring for Watford in the 15th minute, converting from Chakvetadze’s corner. Mmaee equalized for Stoke in the 34th minute after a run from Haksabanovic.
The second half saw Watford reduced to 10 men after Bayo’s red card, but Stoke couldn’t capitalize. Despite chances on both ends, including a fine block by Hamer and missed opportunities for Watford, the game ended in a 1-1 draw.