Roy Hodgson’s first game in charge ends in Burnley draw

Watford held away to bottom club Burnley in Saturday’s only Premier League match

Watford manager Roy Hodgson following his team’s draw at Turf Moor. Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Watford manager Roy Hodgson following his team’s draw at Turf Moor. Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Burnley 0 Watford 0

Roy Hodgson’s reign as Watford manager got off to a lacklustre start as his side were held to a 0-0 draw by bottom club Burnley in their Premier League clash at a blustery Turf Moor on Saturday.

Burnley dominated the early exchanges but neither side could carve out any clear openings, with Maxwel Cornet and Dale Stephens both spurning half-chances.

Watford, however, grew into the game and almost scored when Ben Mee diverted the ball into the direction of his own net from an opposition corner, but danger was averted after Aaron Lennon cleared off the line.

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The visitors continued to push forward and had a penalty appeal turned down in first-half stoppage time after a volley from Ken Sema caught the outstretched arm of Burnley’s Connor Roberts.

In a game devoid of genuine quality, Burnley came closest through Wout Weghorst when the Dutchman’s deflected shot hit the bar early in the second half before the Watford frontline forced Nick Pope into a number of decent saves late in the game.