Karlan Grant’s goal on the stroke of half-time cancelled out Ismaila Sarr’s heroics, in a game that West Brom will be disappointed they didn’t win based on their performance.
Sarr missed a penalty in the second half which was saved by David Button, and the game ended level.
Here’s how the Watford players rated against West Brom.
Starting XI
Daniel Bachmann: 8.5
A strong showing from Bachmann. The Watford goalkeeper made some crucial saves in both the first half and at the start of the second. His kicking could still slightly improve but it has been a good start to the season for the Austrian.
Hassane Kamara: 5
A slightly quieter display from Watford’s player of the season last time out. He looked uncomfortable on the right hand side and struggled at times. Surprisingly, he was taken off in the second half, much to the dismay of some Watford fans.
Craig Cathcart: 4
Cathcart was caught ball watching for Karlan Grant’s goal for West Brom. Despite taking up some good defensive positions at times, he appeared to be shaky and did not look sharp. Improvements will be needed from the Watford defender.
Francisco Sierralta: 4.5
Like Cathcart, he was caught ball watching for the West Brom goal. He won some important headers and made some strong challenges but for someone who has set such high expectations in the Championship, Watford fans will be expecting more from the Chilean.
Christian Kabasele: 5
Kabasele made some vital challenges throughout the game. He gave the ball away cheaply at points, but was probably the best of Watford’s back three.
Ken Sema: 4.5
After a promising showing last week against Sheffield United, Sema looked uncomfortable at the Hawthorns. He gave the ball away easily and struggled to win the ball back at points. It will be interesting to see if Rob Edwards sticks with Sema, or brings in Mario Gaspar from the start in their next game against Burnley.
Tom Cleverley: 3
After a disappointing display last week against Sheffield United, Watford’s club captain struggled again on Monday night. He appeared to be off the pace from the first minute, gave the ball away and was chasing shadows throughout. A big dilemma for Rob Edwards now will be whether to keep Cleverley in the midfield.
Edo Kayembe: 4
Kayembe had a slightly better game than Cleverley, but still struggled. He struggled to bring the ball forward and make up the ground needed to combat West Brom’s midfield. He appeared to find it difficult with the lack of numbers around him in Watford’s midfield.
Ismaila Sarr: 5
A strange game for the Senegalise winger. Having scored an unbelievable goal from his own half, he missed a good opportunity at the end of the first half and missed a crucial penalty towards the end of the game. His performance summed up the inconsistencies of his Watford career so far.
Joao Pedro: 6
Outfield, Pedro was probably Watford’s best player. He was able to drive the ball forward for the Hornets from deep, particularly in the second half where Watford found it difficult at times to leave their own half. His final product could slightly improve.
Emmanuel Dennis: 4.5
A really quiet game for Emmanuel Dennis. He struggled to take the game by the scruff of the neck, and appeared as a frustrated figure while on the pitch.
Substitutes:
Rey Manaj: 5
William Troost-Ekong: 5
Mario Gaspar: 5
Dan Gosling: N/A
Manager:
Rob Edwards: 5
Some Watford fans found that the way he failed to change the shape after the first half peculiar, as the Hornets were being overrun in the midfield. He did not make any changes until late in the game, but he will be happy with the fight his players showed. Watford fans will be hoping for Edwards to learn from this.