Ipswich Town 0-0 Watford: Hornets prevent Tractor Boys going top of Championship

Ipswich missed the possibility to return to the top of the Championship as they have been held to a goalless draw by Watford at Portman Road.

Nathan Broadhead hit the within of the publish whereas Kieffer Moore was beautifully denied by Hornets keeper Daniel Bachmann and fired one other good likelihood broad.

Watford improved vastly after the break and virtually gained it on the finish however at the moment are 5 video games unbeaten below interim boss Tom Cleverley.

Having seen leaders Leicester and Leeds each fail to attain the earlier night time, Ipswich started positively, though it took 18 minutes earlier than Bachmann was referred to as into motion, diving to his proper to cease Broadhead’s low drive from the sting of the realm after a neat flick from Moore.

Cameron Burgess blocked a Vakoun Bayo effort on the different finish earlier than Moore’s near-post effort flashed the flawed facet of the upright from Kayden Jackson’s inviting ball from the best.

Jamal Lewis’ looping cross was plucked from beneath his crossbar by Ipswich keeper Vaclav Hladky simply after the half-hour mark simply earlier than Broadhead fired a low shot from the left of the realm throughout Bachmann however noticed his effort come again off the within of the publish and roll throughout the goalline.

Broadhead could not get out of the way in which of Jack Taylor’s effort after some extra engaging build-up play from the hosts whereas Bachmann dived to his left to clutch Sam Morsy’s bouncing drive from 25 yards and produced a flying save to claw out Moore’s towering header from Harry Clarke’s far-post cross on 43 minutes.

After the break Watford have been much more spectacular on the again, although Bachmann needed to maintain Broadhead’s cross from looping in at one finish whereas Hladky nearly blocked a stinging 20-yard strike from Yaser Asprilla simply earlier than the hour on the different.

Mattie Pollock denied Omari Hutchinson with a high quality block whereas Lewis noticed an angled drive from the left parried by Hladky with 14 minutes remaining.

Massimo Luongo had a shot charged down and fellow-sub Ali Al-Hamadi’s shot deflected broad as Ipswich piled on late stress however Hladky wanted to be alert to prevent Edo Kayembe’s speculative strike from midway catching him out in stoppage time.

It was simply the second time Ipswich have failed to attain at residence this season – the opposite being a stalemate towards QPR in December – although the purpose did guarantee they’ve nonetheless not misplaced back-to-back league video games below McKenna, the final time coming in November 2021 below Paul Cook.

Ipswich supervisor Kieran McKenna advised BBC Radio Suffolk:

“Of course it is irritating that we weren’t capable of get the purpose we needed that may have made it a extremely good night time.

“Lots of it was a extremely good efficiency, the primary half we performed nicely, we managed the sport, we had two or three massive moments that on one other night time, high quality margins, they go in – the primary purpose was at all times going to be key.

“It was a superb efficiency and rather more like us coming off the again of Saturday [defeat by Norwich]. We take the purpose they usually all add up on the finish of the season. Another clear sheet is a constructive. We are defending nicely. It’s not like us to not rating however credit score to the opponent.”

Watford interim supervisor Tom Cleverley advised BBC Three Counties Radio:

“I’m extremely proud of the group. To come right into a job when the season appeared a bit lifeless within the water and also you’re staring down the barrel of a troublesome run of fixtures, and to reply to that problem like we now have – I’m actually proud.

“We have had excessive calls for in coaching they’ve handed that problem, after which we now have requested them to offer all the pieces for the membership on the pitch they usually have accomplished it but once more.

“Three clear sheets in 5 is a stable basis shifting ahead. We are setting small markers down with attracts towards Leeds, away at West Brom, now away at Ipswich. Now we need to put an enormous one down with a win away at Southampton on Saturday.”