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# Match Report: Doumbia header seals Watford comeback win over Preston

- **Source:** 
- **Published:** 8 Sept
- **Club:** Watford
- **Original URL:** https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/26532483.match-report-watford-2-1-preston/?ref=rss

The Hornets were far from convincing for long periods, badly struggling before half-time when they trailed 1-0 to a Callum Lang opener, but launched a stirring comeback after the break.

Alessio Dionisi brought on three subs for the second half, and - after Preston hit the post - was finally rewarded when one of them, Othmane Maamma, cleverly snaked into the box and produced a cross that was deflected into the path of Edo Kayembe to equalise.

And as Watford finally played with some style, the superb Iker Bravo, another sub, swung in a stunning cross for Doumbia to head in the winner.

The Hornets held on from there, securing a win on a night that wasn't far from being remembered sourly, but ends up putting them on eight points from six games and maintaining their unbeaten start to the season at Vicarage Road.

Watford started on the front foot, Rocco Vata intercepting a pass on the edge of Preston's box and working space but shooting straight at Iversen.

Rocco Vata in possession (Image: Alan Cozzi/Watford FC)

After five minutes, though, they had fallen behind. Preston's rehearsed set-piece routine freed up Jordan Thompson to shoot from 20 yards - and though Federico Ravaglia tipped his effort onto the post, the rebound was bundled over the line by Lang and awarded thanks to goal-line technology.

A few minutes later, Alfie Devine swept an effort over the top from 20 yards and North End looked to compound the early problems.

And though Watford did carry a threat through Vata, his lay-off for Omar Traore was only meekly side-footed wide after a quarter of an hour.

Amin Nabizada saw an effort blocked but could well have gone 2-0 down at the other end, Lang shooting straight at Ravaglia from close range after a quick counter-attack.

Johnny Kenny was next to go close, whipping past the post via a deflection, as the visitors threatened a second.

Soumaila Coulibaly has the ball (Image: Alan Cozzi/Watford FC)

Watford looked shapeless and couldn't get any sort of grip as Preston controlled the game, Vata firing over after a rare piece of sharp play with seven minutes remaining of the half.

The Hornets improved a little towards the end of the half, Kayembe shooting wide after Kevin Keben's cross was cleared, but they were deservedly behind at the break.

Dionisi made a triple change at half-time to try and inject some life into the performance, Maamma, Bravo and Stephy Mavididi coming on.

There wasn't much of a pick-up, though, with Preston still on top as Harry Clarke headed wide at the back post.

When the Hornets did finally make headway, Mattie Pollock shot high and wide with his left foot as he turned on Maamma's cross.

The visitors couldn't have come much closer just before the hour mark, though, when Clarke's deflected effort was tipped agonisingly onto the post by Ravaglia, who watched gratefully as the ball rolled back into his arms.

And that proved a huge turning point as Watford quickly turned the game around.

Edo Kayembe fires in the equaliser (Image: Alan Cozzi/Watford FC)

Firstly, Maamma produced his first meaningful contribution of the season as he dribbled to the byline down the left and produced a cross that deflected into the path of Kayembe to slam in.

And after Kayembe had missed another golden chance, Bravo produced a wonderful cross from the right for Doumbia to nod down and into the net, completing a comeback not many had seen coming.

They defended bravely, if nervously from there, Soumaila Coulibaly and Kayembe making key interventions.

And despite Bravo spurning a chance to finish the content entirely late on, Watford held onto secure an important three points that maintains a sense of feel-good after a difficult week on the road.

Watford XI: Ravaglia; Keben, Pollock, Coulibaly, Traore (Zemura 60); Kyprianou, Kayembe; Nabizada (Maamma 46), Payero (Bravo 46), Vata (Mavididi 46); Doumbia (Kjerrumgaard 88)

Unused subs: Bachmann, Walker, Eames