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Plymouth Argyle 2-2 Watford: Two-goal Gray rescues point for Rooney’s side

Admin 5 hours ago

3 1 minute read

Andre Gray scored twice against his former club to rescue a point for struggling Plymouth Argyle as they drew 2-2 with Watford on Friday.

Gray equalized in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time to seal a crucial point for Wayne Rooney's side in their bid for Championship survival.

The visitors made a fast start at Home Park when Ivorian striker Vakoun Bayo powered home Yasser Larouci's cross after just eight minutes.

However, Plymouth equalized in the 23rd minute against the run of play when Lewis Gibson's long ball into the penalty area was answered by a spectacular volley from Gray.

Watford regained the lead before half-time when Imran Louza's free-kick was deflected back by Mattie Pollock, with centre-back Ryan Porteous on hand to steer the ball home.

But just when it looked like Watford would go home with all three points, Gray collected the ball on the edge of the area and fired a stunning effort past Daniel Bachmann.

Tom Cleverley's Watford are in fifth place, five points ahead of leaders Sunderland, while Plymouth are 17th with 17 points from 16 games.

Injury time in this place ALWAYS delivers pic.twitter.com/w87Cpaq2or

— Plymouth Argyle FC (@Argyle) November 22, 2024

Data debriefing: better late than never

Plymouth have proven they are the masters of late goals this season, with Gray's equalizer the fifth time the Pilgrims have scored in second-half stoppage time in their last six home games.

The 33-year-old striker is also proving to be a great signing for Rooney, having now scored three goals in his second start for Plymouth after joining as a free agent last month.

Watford, meanwhile, have won just one of their last seven league games at Plymouth (D3 L2). Cleverley had scored the only goal of the match when they last won at Home Park in September 2009.

The Watford boss will have to rue his side's incompetence as the visitors won the expected goals (xG) battle comfortably, with a total of 2.17 to their opponents' paltry 0.42.