Burnley 1-1 Watford

WATFORD TOOK a point in their firt meeting against former boss Sean Dyche thanks to Nathaniel Chalobah's goal.

Watford took an 11th minute lead through Chelsea loanee Chalobah, the midfielder celebrating his 18th birthday earlier this week with a volley to put the Hornets ahead.

In the 28th minute the league`s top goalscorer Charlie Austin levelled for the hosts with a penalty.

Gianfranco Zola made two changes, bringing the fit-again Almen Abdi in for Mark Yeates, whilst Alex Geijo replaced Matej Vydra up front as the Hornets started with two physical presences up front.

Sean Dyche made three changes, bringing Danny Ings, David Edgar and Kevin Long in for Chris McCann, Brian Stock and Michael Duff.

The hosts had the game`s first notable chance, Austin nodding down for Ings who was denied by a good Watford clearance.

With 11 minutes played, Watford took the lead though when Chalobah volleyed home following a Hornet`s corner which had been kept alive by Daniel Pudil and Fitz Hall.

Burnley supporters thought they had a decent penalty shout when Tommie Hoban outmuscled winger Ross Wallace, but the former Preston and Celtic wideman was simply not strong enough to cope with the Hornet`s centre-half.

Just before the half-hour mark Burnley did equalise from 12 yards. From a short corner, Abdi was judged to have pushed Dean Marney and the Clarets were awarded a spot-kick.

The division`s high-scorer Austin stepped up to put the penalty beyond Manuel Almunia.

Burnley full-back Kieran Trippier tested Almunia on 33 minutes when his 30 yard strike was stopped by Almunia who was the fouled by Austin sliding in for the re-bound.

Three minutes before half-time the Clarets could have been ahead when Almunia`s save from Martin Paterson looked set to fall to Austin who was brilliantly denied by an inch-perfect last-ditch lunge from Hoban.

Half-time: 1-1

Zola made a change at half-time, introducing Mark Yeates for goalscorer Chalobah who had suffered a knock before scoring his opener.

Troy Deeney came close to continuing his superb form after just six second-half minutes, first seeing his header stopped by Lee Grant, before the Hemel Hempstead-born stopper blocked his re-bound effort.

Austin was a continual menace throughout for the Clarets, Almunia denying the former Swindon Town hitman on the hour with a good stop from his header.

Defender Joel Ekstrand nearly put the Hornet`s back in front with 15 minutes left as he took the ball down on his chest before cracking a volley from distance back off the crossbar.

In injury-time, Almunia denied Claret`s substitute Sam Vokes from point-blank range to preserve a point.

Full-time: 1-1

Burnley: Grant; Trippier, Shackell (c), Long, Lafferty; Wallace (Vokes), Marney, Edgar, Ings (Treacy); Austin & Paterson (Stanislas).

Subs not used: Jensen (GK), Vokes, Mills, Bartley & Stock.

Watford: Almunia; Ekstrand, Hall, Hoban; Cassetti, Hogg, Abdi, Chalobah (Yeates), Pudil (Anya); Deeney & Geijo (Vydra).

Subs not used: Bonham (GK), Neuton, Beleck & Battocchio.

Attendance: 14 896

Referee: Mr P Gibbs.

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