After a scintillating 90 minutes at Elland Road on Saturday, Watford head coach Gianfranco Zola condemned decisions which went against his side in the build-up to two Leeds goals.
The Italian felt that there had been a foul in the build-up to the Whites’ second goal – scored by Matt Smith – before a throw in was incorrectly awarded to the hosts prior to Ross McCormack’s goal.
Speaking afterwards to The Watford Observer, Zola said: Maybe I am disappointed about the second goal they scored because it was a clear foul.
‘The referee I have to say was very good until then but that decision has in some ways spoiled the game for me and also for the third goal the throw-in was definitely ours.’
Watford had raced into a two-goal lead before the break when Troy Deeney rifled home first time and Cristian Battocchio’s finished neatly after Hector Bellerin’s charge from inside his own half.
‘It was a fantastic game – the first half was brilliant, the second half not so much,’ said Zola.
‘It was a great game, the people who came here today had a lot of pressure so I am happy about the result of course because a point over here is not a bad point.’
Leeds boss Brian McDermott told The Yorkshire Evening Post that he felt his side had needed a fourth when 3-2 up.
“I have mixed emotions as it could have gone either way. It was such an open game and in a game like that, anything can happen,” admitted McDermott.
“Even at 3-2 I felt we needed a fourth. We were unfortunate not to get it, but Watford are a good side who were nearly in the Premier League this season.’
The former Reading boss continued: “We were 2-0 down and I am proud of the players. We were unfortunate not to win but I can`t be too greedy.
“There may be an initial disappointment that we didn`t win but we may well reflect on this as a good point.”
Click here to read Saturday’s match report. Click here to view the match facts and stats from Elland Road.
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