Afobe bails out Cherries to leave Mazzari sleepless
Walter Mazzarri’s hopes of finally getting a full night’s sleep were out on hold by Benik Afobe’s late
equaliser that secured a point for Bournemouth but left both sides still searching for their first league win of the new year.
Watford
manager Mazzarri had admitted his never sleeps after a loss and while his side ended a run of five successive away reverses thanks to headed goals from Christian Kabasele and Troy Deeney, the frustration and conceding the lead eight minute from time meant this felt like a defeat to the Italian.
For Eddie Howe, the Bournemouth manager, there were also mixed feelings. Once again his side demonstrated the defensive frailties that had contributed to them conceding three goals in eight of their previous ten games, but he could take heart from the way his team twice levelled, first through Joshua King before Afobe struck.
“I think this was two points lost,” said Mazzarri. “We deserved to win today. We conceded two mistakes which allowed them to score two goals and we could have scored another goal in the second half.” Howe took a different view, but couldn’t disguise his feelings about the way his side were twice undone. “Overall I felt we were unfortunate not to win,” he said. “Was I frustrated at the manner in which we conceded the goals? You could say that. I thought we defended well in open play today. Set-plays we knew would be a strength of theirs, they’re a really big team, but the manner of the two set-plays is disappointing. But we have to look for positives. The character of the team was superb today to come back when losing and the impact of the subs should give us a huge boost.”
Mazzarri had complimented Howe’s side before the game, praising Bournemouth’s style and insisting they played some of best football in the league. The composed way in which the home side started the game will