Hornets retaliate to win at the Ricoh

23 shots at goal, 18 corners and a stunning 3-goal quickfire comeback saw Watford finally stave off the threat of relegation at the Ricoh Arena with a 3-2 win over Coventry.

Cov boss Chris Coleman had pleaded for a goal fest to end his side`s season of mid table mediocrity with a win and he looked all set for his wish to come true after Eastwood [10] and Simpson [53] had put the Sky Blues 2-up.

But Watford are an attacking threat these days and a 17-minute salvo saw strikes from Smith [56], Rasiak [61] and Priskin [73] take all 3 points back to Hertfordshire.

That`s 5 goals Mr Coleman – what else could you want?

A marauding Doyley, who fired in a pop shot at goal after just 36 seconds, perhaps? Or a Rasiak effort go wide, after he capitalized on a spot of dilly-dallying by Ward, even?

In fact, Cov actually took the lead against the run of play after 10 minutes when a cute little back heel from Morrison fed Eastwood who fired home with all the coolness of a prolific marksmen – it was Freddie`s 1st goal in 27 games!

Ward`s powerhouse of an effort was blocked on route to break the net and Loach saved well from a Simpson blockbuster – after Lloydinho was caught daydreaming about what might have been.

Dear Lloyd, you`ve just got to love the man – and the future Mayor of Watford really should have equalized for the Golden Boys – instead he blasted over high, wide and ever so handsome from 8 yards out after Priskin`s piledriver had bounced back off the keeper.

It wasn`t to be but it wasn`t the only opportunity the Hornets had to get back into it before the break as they finished the stronger. Priskin and Jenkins both drove long rangers at Westwood, Cork chipped narrowly wide and McAnuff clipped a curler just wide after bamboozling Osbourne and Eastwood with some footwork right out of Strictly Come Dancing.

It was really only a matter of time before Watford scored.

But we all know Watford and so it was really no surprise when a peach of a freekick from Simpson beat Loach all ends up from what seemed all of 55 yards! – Scotty went just a little bit potty at the wall and all around him.

Game Over?

Not quite? Smith beat the keeper but not the bar with a crashing header and then decided to celebrate his 300th Watford appearance by missing a penalty with a rubbish spot kick after Priskim was bought down by Turner.

Thankfully ol Tommy was only kidding and fired home the rebound with the keeper stranded. Tough on Westwood – really it was.

And from that point on it was all Watford – Rasiak bought the save of the game out of the Cov keeper after flicking a header from a McAnuff cross – It was class and it was in but for the agile fingertips of Westwood.

Fear not though, the big Pole does not let the acrobatics of an Irishmen halt his hunt to be on the scoresheet and 2 minutes later rose highest to power McAnuff`s pinpoint floater into the top corner.

Yes, there were scares as Cov fired balls into the box and a couple of inswingers beat everyone in yellow and er, brown (thankfully) when it looked like Loach would be beaten again.

Don`t be fooled though, it was the same at the other end though as the Hornets sensed a rare away day win.

Priskin volleyed wide, but just like his East European strike partner he didn`t have to wait too long to wheel away in celebration.

The winner came courtesy of cheeky turn and back heel from our in-form Hungarian hitman after Williamson`s darting run and headed knock back from the far post caused chaos in the box. We`ve seen the move a thousand times so far at the Vic each time there`s been a McAnuff set piece of late – and it was still quality.

Game won?but there was still room for a moment of madness at the death – Fox (who had baited the Hornets home end by thumping his chest at the Vic) almost pinched a point with a far post curler then saw red for lashing out at Priskin.

Ref Booth was given no choice – even if Tamas did go down like a sniper had taken him out.

Don`t let a spot of handbags and the elbow of man wearing brown spoil the day though. The reality is Watford has avoided relegation in what was meant to be a season of woe.

Let`s all look forward to booing Stewart and Ellington during next Sunday`s stroll in the sunshine safe in the knowledge it`s Championship footie again at the Vic next season.