MX23RW : Sunday, December 6 12:25:58| >> :120:63732:63732:

Result: Bristol City, Watford share the spoils at Ashton Gate

Result: Bristol City, Watford share the spoils at Ashton Gate
© Reuters
Both sides remain in the Championship play-off spots.

Championship high-flyers Bristol City and Watford cancelled each other out at Ashton Gate as the game ended goalless.

City goalkeeper Dan Bentley made the save of the match in the 74th minute, showing great reactions to tip over a shot from Domingos Quina.

Striker Antoine Semenyo posed the biggest threat for the hosts and twice went close to second-half goals.

But in the end the final pass from both teams let them down and a point apiece was about right as defences took the honours.

City head coach Dean Holden opted for a strike force of Famara Diedhiou and Semenyo, relegating Chris Martin and Nahki Wells to the bench, and brought in Taylor Moore for the injured Tomas Kalas at the back.

Watford boss Vladimir Ivic made four changes from last Saturday's 1-1 draw against QPR and set his side up with a back four for the first time this season.

The home side created the first clear chance of the game after nine minutes. Jamie Paterson's low cross from the left found Semenyo unmarked in the box, but his shot was just too high.

But soon Watford were dominating possession and forcing their opponents back. Andre Gray set up an opening for Ismaila Sarr in the 16th minute, only for his fierce drive to be deflected over by Zak Vyner.

The game settled into a pattern of City defending deep and inviting their hosts forward. Watford built with menace, without being able to penetrate.

The next good chance for either side came in the final minute of the first half when a driven free-kick into the box by James Garner deflected up towards the far post where Craig Cathcart headed wide.

Watford began the second half on the front foot again. Sarr raced into the box onto a long ball and was denied by a saving tackle from Moore.

But City almost went in front after 52 minutes when Semenyo beat a defender and delivered a superb low cross that somehow eluded Diedhiou inside the six-yard box.

Semenyo was starting to look a threat and another penetrating run ended with a shot that flashed wide of the far post.

Watford were not heeding the warnings. With City enjoying much more of the ball, Semenyo latched onto a volleyed cross from Jack Hunt and sent a header just over the bar.

Ivic was sufficiently concerned to send on Troy Deeney for Gray in a bid to even up the balance of play.

The move seemed to rejuvenate the visitors and Quina was left with head in hands as Bentley somehow kept out his effort from 12 yards.

Deeney had a late penalty appeal turned down, but Bentley seemed to take the ball cleanly as he dived at his feet.

ID:423784:cQx
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Derby County's Wayne Rooney pictured in October 2020
Read Next:
Wednesday's Championship predictions including Middlesbrough vs. Derby County
>
Latest Sports Video
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Premier League
Scottish Premiership
La Liga
Serie A
Bundesliga
Ligue 1
Eredivisie
Primeira Liga
Turkish Super Lig
Belgian Pro League
Greek Superleague
Swiss Super League
Russian Premier League
Ukrainian Premier League
Norwegian Eliteserien
Swedish Allsvenskan
Danish Superliga
Segunda Division
Serie B
2.Bundesliga
Eerste Divisie
MLS Playoffs
Brasileiro
Copa Diego Maradona
Uruguayan Primera Division
Liga MX
AFC Champions League
J1 League
Women's Super League
Autumn Nations Cup
Gallagher Premiership
NFL
6pm
Lions
@
Bears
6pm
Bengals
@
Dolphins
6pm
Saints
@
Falcons
6pm
Raiders
@
Jets
6pm
Washington
@
Steelers
6pm
Colts
@
Texans
6pm
Browns
@
Titans
6pm
Jags
@
Vikings
9.05pm
Rams
@
Cardinals
9.05pm
Giants
@
Seahawks
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Eagles
@
Packers
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Norwich CityNorwich169432115631
2Bournemouth1686229161330
3Reading169342619730
4Swansea CitySwansea168531910929
5Stoke CityStoke168442318528
6Brentford167632415927
7Bristol City168351916327
8Blackburn RoversBlackburn1674531191225
9Watford156631812624
10Middlesbrough156631610624
11Cardiff CityCardiff166552113823
12Luton TownLuton166461420-622
13Huddersfield TownHuddersfield166372022-221
14Millwall164841313020
15Preston North EndPreston166282225-320
16Birmingham CityBirmingham164751214-219
17Barnsley165471721-419
18Queens Park RangersQPR164571724-717
19Coventry CityCoventry164571826-817
20Rotherham UnitedRotherham163491523-813
21Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest16349919-1013
22Wycombe WanderersWycombe16259923-1411
23Derby CountyDerby16259822-1411
24Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds16367915-69

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!