Watford v Manchester City 1985/86
Date Published
WATFORD 3 CITY 2
League Division 1
12th October 1985
attendance 15,418
scorers City Lillis(65), McNab(74) Watford Blissett(29), Callaghan(34), Barnes(48)
Ref John Ball
City Nixon, May, Power, Clements, McCarthy, Phillips, Lillis, Baker, Davies, McNab, Simpson - Sub Melrose(unused)
Watford Coton, Gibbs, Rostron, Talbot, Terry, Sinnott, Callaghan, Blissett, West, Jackett, Barnes - Sub Lohman(unused)
The first 28 minutes of this game had boring goalless draw written all over it with little action and the home crowd becoming frustrated and bursting into a slow hand clap. The game then came alive in the 29th minute as Luthor Blissett converted a Nigel Callaghan cross to put Watford 1-0 up and before half-time Callaghan scored a wonder goal with a strike from 35 yards. Watford were in total command of the game as John Barnes scored a 3rd after half-time and Watford almost scored a fourth as West hit the bar. Mark Lillis scrambled what appeared to be a consolation goal for City in the 65th minute but when Neil McNab lobbed the ball over the Watford custodian Tony Coton with over a quarter of an hour to go, the travelling Blues believed City might grab an equaliser. It was not to be and despite David Phillips going close from a free-kick, Watford held on to take all the points.