SOUTHAMPTON 1 WATFORD 1 Nov 10 (Reuters) – A late strike from Jose Holebas earned Watford a 1-1 draw at a rain-soaked Southampton on Saturday and extended the home side’s winless run to eight Premier games while increasing the pressure on manager Mark Hughes. Manolo Gabbiadini gave the Saints the lead with a smart turn and finish in the 20th minute, profiting from good work by Danny Ings, who picked Roberto Pereyra’s pocket inside the penalty area and played in his fellow striker following a corner. The goal was the Italian’s first of the season but Holebas equalised in the 82nd to deny the Saints a much-needed victory and leave them one place above the relegation zone by virtue of goal difference ahead of the international break. The ball broke to Watford’s Greek defender just outside the Southampton area after bouncing off Gerard Deulofeu and he advanced into the box before unleashing a left-foot strike that took a deflection before flying past keeper Alex McCarthy. Watford also had a reasonable penalty appeal turned down by referee Simon Hooper just before the hour when Nathaniel Chalobah went down in the box, while at the other end substitute Charlie Austin had a goal controversially ruled out for offside. The draw lifted Watford into provisional seventh place with 20 points from 12 games above Manchester United, who face Manchester City in Sunday’s derby clash, on goal difference while Southampton have eight points. (Reporting by Simon Jennings; editing by Ken Ferris)
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