Heidar steals the show Heidar steals the show

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Heidar steals the show Heidar steals the show

The return of home hero, Heidar Helguson sparked a goal frenzy at Vicarage Road today as the points were shared in a topsy-turvy encounter.The Icelander, temporarily back at the Vic after a three month loan deal was agreed with his parent club Queens Park Rangers during the week, took no time at all re-acquainting himself with scoring in the front of the Rookery.Since moving away from Watford four seasons ago, Helgusons career has been mixed at best. Just eleven goals in 57 matches at Fulham was le s than expected for a player of his calibre. Bolton Wanderers then took a gamble on him but he only sparsely featured with two goals in seven appearances. This led to him being shipped out on loan to Queen Park Rangers but a subsequent move to Watford seems to have re-vitalised the talented Icelandic marksman.The game that signalled Helgusons return to a club where he is regarded fondly as God, had all the ingredients of a cla sic. Leicester City, back in the Championship this season after a comfortable season in League 1 last campaign leading to promotion, played their part in a wonderful battle.Leicester looked lively in the opening exchanges and Watfords jittery defending almost handed them a perfect start to the game. First, Paul Gallagher was allowed the time to pick out Steve Howard in the 12 yard-box Sean Couturier Kids Jersey but his shot was blocked. A mis-judged back pa s from ever-present left back Lloyd Doyley screamed danger and Matty Fryatt almost pounced to give Leicester a deserved lead but keeper Scott Loach was alert to the danger and dealt with it accordingly.The away sides pre sure duly prevailed but only through crazy defending from experienced midfielder, John Eustace. For a split second however he lost his usually cool head and flailed in the penalty area like a youth academy youngster nervous on debut, and needle sly handled the ball, giving away a penalty. Up stepped Matty Fryatt to confidently dispatch the spot kick for a lead that Leicester warranted, due in part to Watfords woeful defending. All around the field, Watford were handing the initiative to City by simply standing off their players, allowing them time to produce threatening opportunities.Watfords only moments of encouragement came from two free kicks on the edge of the Leicester area but unusually, on-loan teenager Tom Cleverley was unable to work Andrew Macdonald Women Jersey an opening from the consequent set pieces and easy work was made of them by City keeper Chris Weale.At the other end, goalscorer Fryatt was looking a constant threat in and around the Hornets twelve yard box and his presence was to lead to more succe s in front of goal. He was giving recently acquired central defender, Craig Cathcart, (another shrewd loan signing from the champions Manchester United) a tough time on his debut. It was Fryatt, that going with the script of the game, punished Watford further in the 40th minute. A well executed through ball from Paul Gallagher left Fryatt one-on-one with Cathcart on the corner of the twelve yard box. Neat footwork allowed him to out fox the Manchester United man and his low shot coolly beat Loach and half time looked as if it couldnt come soon enough for the Hornets. But for brave defending from Cathcart, it could have been worse before half time but he managed to block another goalbound effort from Steve Howard.If Watford ever needed a motivating team talk and switch of tactics it was now. Seemingly deflated leaving the pitch at half time, the crowd was lifted by the arrival of Helguson for his second spell at the club, replacing Henri Lansbury after the break. Danny Graham was having a ineffective game on his own up front so the Icelander was bound to create another dimension for Watfords attacking presence.The Hornets seemed buoyed by the return of Helguson and looked rejuvenated from the restart. Don Cowie had an erractic afternoon with his cro ses and corners but in the early stages of the second half he was finding Helguson in loads of space, determined to grant him a return goal at the Vic. One minute into the second half, Helguson was inches away from grabbing a goal but he couldnt reach a ball from strike Carter Hart Women Jersey partner, Graham. It was Cowie who had another Jori Lehtera Men Jersey good chance to reduce the deficit five minutes into the second half but he dithered ten yards in front of goal and his shot was blocked in the penalty area melee.Former Luton Town man Steve Howard, was looking deadly in the air and his shot was tipped over the bar by Scott Loach as Leicester looked to extend their fragile lead.At the other end however, the pre sure was building for the Hornets and finally in the 58th minute, Leicesters resolve was defeated. Right back Lee Hodsons cro s was nodded on by Helguson on the edge of the penalty area, finding Danny Graham six yards out. Grahams strength held off defender Jack Hobbs and his low shot, trickled underneath Weale. This game was very much alive and the home team knew that.Now enter the home hero. Helguson had looked lively throughout the first 15 minutes of the second half and his exhilarating return was about to come to fruition. Another menacing ball in from Lee Hodson evaded everyone except the Icelander who roared in at the back post to level the match and send the Hornets supporters into raptures. A game that looked so lost at half time was back in the balance yet again. A game of two halves this certainly was.Leicester showed signs of resilience themselves after conceding two deflating goals in quick succe sion. Substitute Nicky Adams was looking lively down the left hand side of midfield but after clever footwork to elude three Watford defenders, his cro s was over-hit and bounced out for a goal kick.A moment of contention sparked furious protests from the home support on 70 minutes when it appeared that Tom Cleverley had been upended in the penalty area by already booked Bruno Berner. However the referee, Craig Pawson deemed it to be on the edge of the box and the subsequent free kick was blazed over by Cleverley.Mackays men could sense that a win was theirs for the taking and on 77 minutes yet another pinpoint cro s from youngster Lee Hodson found the in-form Helguson who delivered the vital touch to send the Hornets into the lead for the first time. God was most definitely on Watfords side. Jubilant Hornets followers could scarcely believe their eyes. It seemed four years is nothing in football as Helguson carried on where he left off back in 2005; delighting the home hoards.The Icelanders cameo role was about to come to an end just four minutes later however and a muscle pull ended his involvement. Exit stage right for the Golden Boy whos heroics had left Watford on the brink of a famous victory and would add another game to their impre sive unbeaten run in the league.Time was ticking away and the shock win for Watford was looking Chris Bigras Men Jersey ever more likely until in the 91st minute, when substitute Dany NGue san salvaged a point
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