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Young's late strike rescues Watford

Adrian Boothroyd, the Watford manager, had talked about working on his players "Circadian rhythms" ­ the brainwaves that determine their sleeping patterns. Not that any would have slept last night after one of the most extraordinary matches the Premiership has seen, including an amazing own goal by Damien Francis.

Boothroyd believes his team have a liking for evening kick-offs ­ hence his interest in those rhythms ­ and are indeed unbeaten at night. But they somehow contrived to throw away a two-goal lead against a previously woeful Fulham, who scored three times inside 16 minutes. It was the stuff of nightmares ­ of relegation.

But, with seconds remaining, Ashley Young, the contest's outstanding performer, hooked in an equaliser. This time it was Fulham's Papa Bouba Diop who headed the ball to him. It meant a point apiece, although Boothroyd will know that Fulham at home represents one of the easier of fixtures, especially when they are suffering from injuries and illness.

The cold light of day will bring home some truths. "There were positives," Boothroyd said, although he admitted it wouldn't be before " tomorrow that I will be able to find them". His face ran the gamut of emotions. "Naïve", was the diplomatic verdict he came up with for his players.

But with just seven minutes left, Watford appeared to have the points that would have represented their first League victory of the season and would have allowed them to leapfrog four other clubs into 15th place. They were that close. The Independent

Young's sting in the tail for Hornets thwarts Fulham's unlikely comeback

An extraordinary finale last night saw Watford throw away a two-goal lead, stare defeat in the face and then dramatically snatch a draw against Fulham.

Watford had looked on course for a much-needed first Premiership win of the season, and an escape from the relegation zone, when they led 2-0 with only 19 minutes remaining, but nerves got the better of them and they were eventually thankful for Ashley Young's late equaliser after conceding three goals in a nightmarish 16-minute period in the second half.

"We were naive," said Watford's manager Aidy Boothroyd. "We covered up and tried to protect what we had. There were positives but it is hard to find them straight after the game. Fulham didn't have to work hard to get a goal. We gifted them three goals."

Fulham's fight back was inspired by Chris Coleman's bold substitutions and his former Watford striker, Heidar Helguson. Yet Watford's defenders were also guilty of defending far too deeply when seemingly in complete control.

Helguson, who had been given a warm welcome on his return, always looked the most likely to haul Fulham back into the game and, shortly after forcing a fine point-blank save from Ben Foster, he headed into the path of the substitute Brian McBride, who made it 2-1.

The goal seemed to shred Watford's nerves. With seven minutes left, Helguson pounced to head an equaliser after Pape Bouba Diop and Tomasz Radzinski combined to turn Antti Niemi's clearance across the Watford goal. Then, with just three minutes remaining, the sheer panic that had spread across the home defence caused Damien Francis to slice a powerful attempted clearance into his own goal to put Fulham ahead and within sight of a most unlikely victory. Young's late strike, however, eased some of Watford's pain. The Guardian

Young spares Watford agony

ADRIAN BOOTHROYD, the Watford manager, draws on the experience and knowledge of great leaders. Yet, with the battle won at Vicarage Road last night, with Watford 2-0 up against Fulham and cruising to their first Barclays Premiership win of the season, they capitulated in remarkable fashion.

What Sir Winston Churchill, one of Boothroyd's favourite sources of inspiration, would have made of it will never be known. Goals from Marlon King, the 100th of his career, and Ashley Young, after only 14 seconds of the second half, had enabled Watford to dream of a first Premiership success since May 2000.

Fulham, again producing lethargic form away from Craven Cottage, hardly got in a blow. Then, from nothing, they scored three times in 16 minutes. Brian McBride, one of Fulham's three attacking substitutes, reduced the gap with a close-range volley after good work by Wayne Routledge, another replacement, and Heidar Helguson, the Iceland and former Watford striker.

Helguson, a £1.3 million purchase from Watford last year, nodded in the equaliser with much glee, after support play from Papa Bouba Diop and Tomasz Radzinski, and then, as panic spread like wildfire in the Watford defence, Damien Francis lashed the ball into his own net.

“I think naive is the best word to describe it,” Boothroyd said. “We're a team good at delivering knockout blows but, instead, we tried to protect what we had. And I don't think Fulham had to work too hard for their goals. We gifted them to them.” The Times

Young rescues point for Watford

Watford went through a full gamut of emotions at Vicarage last night. Leading 2-0 until the 83rd minute, they found themselves trailing 3-2 with three minutes remaining, but a late equaliser from Ashley Young allowed the Premiership newcomers to rescue a point.

Watford were on course for their first Premiership win for six years after goals from Marlon King, his 100th career strike, and Young. But Brian McBride responded for Fulham before former Watford striker Heidur Helguson restored parity.

When Damien Francis sliced the ball into his own net, the nightmare scenario had unfolded, only for Young to claim his second of the night with a minute to go. Daily Telegraph