Former Hornet Shines at Vicarage Road

The critics are out in large numbers this season. They have plenty to moan about too - lower attendances, less than average goals, unsportsmanlike beahvior, poor refereeing decisions and perhaps even a lack of quality football. It was fitting then, that two of the bookies favorites for relegation produced the most thrilling game of the season, thus far.

In all fairness, Watford have threatened to knock a few goals in ever home game. Marlon King and Andrew Young in particular have looked more than ready for the demands of the premiership. The two combined impressively to score Watford's first in the 23rd minute. Young drifted to the right, before delivering a perfect cross that left the Fulham defenders in sixes and sevens, as King finished calmly.

Fulham manager, Chris Coleman could not have been impressed with his side's first half performance. With the manager's words still ringing in their ears, the Cottagers gave the ball away cheaply, allowing Young to double the Hornets lead in the early moments of the second half. As Vicarage road lifted in anticipation of their first win since their return to the Premiership, Coleman's men started to lift their game.

Coleman withdrew Collins John, calling upon the tall American Brian McBride instead. It took McBride just 12 minutes to find a way through the Watford defense. Radzinki's pull back exposed a back four that was lacking in pace, and McBride reacted faster than Shittu.

Twelve minutes later, former Hornet Hiedur Helguson burst into the box, unleashing a lethal drive into the top corner. When Helguson netted again just four minutes later, Watford would have been forgiven for feeling a bit sorry for themselves. However, Bothroyd's men were determined to take something from the game, and Ashley Young scored in injury time to earn Watford a well deserved point.

Six goals, plenty of drama and a full house at Vicarage Road would suggest that the Premiership is still alive and kicking. The critics would be well advised to turn their attention to the national team, which faces two stern tests in midweek, with the visit of Macedonia and a tough trip to Croatia.

Footballing Cliches and Middlesborough...

Few phrases have grabbed my attention as much as the most over-used footballing cliche of them all - 'in football as in life'. The reflective nature of the football fan put out in 5 simple words. We really believe it too, make no mistake about that. Football is a very fair reflection of life. Just take the Middlesborough game last night, for example.

The history of Middleborough football club over the last couple of years would give the best 'expect the unexpected' style Hollywood directors a run for their money. Perhaps, doom and gloom is the only sure sign of impending success at Tyneside. A season ticket holder at Boro famously tore up his season ticket infront of Steve McLaren as Boro got thumped 4-0 at home to a struggling Aston Villa side, last season. If he'd made the trip to the Riverside stadium the following week, he would have seen his side beat Chelsea 3-0. If he'd visited every game, he would have witnessed a fight against relegation coupled with an FA Cup semi-final and a UEFA Cup final.

Come June, and McLaren was appointed England manager. Steve Gibson's millions were said to be attracting some of Europe's biggest name managers. Sven Goran Erikson himself was linked with the Boro job. Surely enough, the job went to a man who had never managed a football club before. Gareth Southgate was to make the transition from club captain to club manager.

Gareth set about his job ridding the club of its old gaurd. Hasselbaink, Doriva, Quedrue were all surface to requirements and a young Boro side were set to battle on in the Premiership - with Julio Arca the only addition to the squad. The doom and gloom merchants were out in full-force when they saw Southgate's side blow a 2 goal lead to lose 3-2 at the Mejedski stadium to newly promoted Reading. With champions Chelsea making the trip to the Riverside, a half-empty stadium was perhaps reflective of the mood at tyneside. An early Shevcenko goal put the writing on the wall. But, in true Boro fashion, a late equalizer by "mad dog" Pogatetz was followed by a last-minute winner by substitute Mark Viduka. The young novice, Southgate had turned the game on its head, to defeat the special one. Lesson one: In football, as in life - 'the more things change, the more they stay the same'.

With Pompey making the trip to the Riverside without Mendes, Johnson and Lua Lua, the bookies had Boro as firm favorites for this fixture. Southgate enjoyed a warm reception, as the fans looked forward to another home win. It took just 7 minutes for Kanu to find the back of the net as Boro failed to defend a corner. A period of Boro pressure insued, but in truth Pompey were never really troubled. A 25 yard Yakubu effort, their best chance. The second half started much like the first. Benjani Maruwari found himself unmarked at the far post in the 50th minute, and put away his header. This time, Boro had no resistance. A third goal, calmly finished by Kanu, made it three-nil. Pompey continued to dominate, and in the 90th minute, Todorov made it four.

The result defied all logic. Boro looked to be on a high and set for their new-era under Southgate, while Pompey were missing key players and should have been happy with a point. History was repeating itself once more. Last season, Boro lost 4-0 at home the same week that they beat Chelsea. This season, it was Pompey. This brings us to our second and most important lesson of the evening. In football as in life, sometimes the truly mystical defies all logical convictions.