Watford head coach Rob Edwards described Ismail Sarr’s wonder goal as a “moment of genius” after West Bromwich drew 1-1.
Sarr was Watford’s hero and villain – he scored a David Beckham-like goal at Wimbledon in 1996, before failing to score a penalty. The 24-year-old Senegalese striker propelled Edwards’ side ahead in the 12th minute, hitting a goal from almost 60 yards before Carlan Grant equalised in first-half added time. But Sarr missed a penalty in the 73rd minute as Albion controlled the game and had to win at a gallop.
“Just to see that and how good it was was a moment of genius”” Edwards said. “It was a great technique and vision – every time you see such a goal, it’s special. As soon as it came off her leg, I thought she was inside. It was an incredible goal.”
Regarding Sarr’s missed penalty, which David Button easily made, Edwards said: “I’m sure he was disappointed, but he was awesome – he was the reason we got a point. He scored a goal from nothing and was brave enough to score a penalty; it wasn’t achieved, but we probably don’t deserve it.
Albion Manager Steve Bruce admitted he was torn between the applause of Sara’s miracle goal and the review of Button. “Like everyone else on the pitch, did I want to applaud him or look at my goalkeeper thinking ” “where are You?!”said Bruce. “This is a great example of the skill of a very good player. I think he looked at where my goalkeeper was and he [Sarr] executed him.
“But the way we reacted was nice – and my goalkeeper. It was not easy for him, but he was not nervous. He probably thought it wasn’t deep enough. But he didn’t panic and scored a penalty that earned us a point”.
West Bromwich dominated-a full-blooded shot from Darnell Furlong pushed away goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann, who pushed Grant’s strike away with his feet. After the goal, Sara Grant missed three more chances, and Bachmann denied John Swift.
Grant equalized in the second minute of added time of the first half, sending the ball into the goal after a diagonal pass from Grady Dianana.
But Sarr missed the chance of a possible victory when his missed penalty was saved by Button’s feet after Paul Ajayi had pushed the Watford striker.