Bristol City 0-0 Watford: Robins and Hornets play out stalemate
- Published
Watford captain Craig Cathcart spurned their clearest chance of the match
Bristol City and Watford extended their unbeaten Championship runs to four games apiece after a goalless draw at Ashton Gate.
The Hornets controlled the first half without testing home goalkeeper Daniel Bentley - Craig Cathcart heading their best opening wide at the back post from James Garner's whipped cross.
Vladimir Ivic's visitors, who were without three unnamed players who have tested positive for coronavirus, tailed off in the second half as City forward Antoine Semenyo looked the most likely to make something happen.
His low cross was tipped out of Famara Diedhiou's path by Watford keeper Ben Foster before the 20-year-old bent wide from a tight angle, and Foster was again called into action in stoppage time to tip over Tommy Rowe's scuffed effort.
The point leaves Dean Holden's Robins third, three points behind leaders Norwich, with Watford a point further back in fifth.
Though a decent enough watch, it took 74 minutes for the game's first shot on target to materialise, as Domingos Quina's clean strike was beaten away by Bentley after a mistake from City defender Jay Dasilva.
But it was a match of half-chances between two sides occupying play-off places, with the home side keeping a third consecutive clean sheet.
Watford have now lost only once in their past 12 trips to Bristol City, though their three players with Covid-19 are self-isolating and will also miss their next two games against Preston and Nottingham Forest.
Bristol City boss Dean Holden told BBC Radio Bristol:
"First half was a game of limited chances - I thought we had a real good structure to the way we set up.
"To be honest I think second half we were the better team - we had chances and if we were a little bit more clinical in those moments we could've won the game.
"You can't ask any more of the players, they're giving anything and it was a good performance against a really top team."
Watford head coach Vladimir Ivic told BBC Three Counties Radio:
"I believe that we played with energy, possession, lots of movement and this is something we want.
We showed a good reaction after losing the ball and good pressure - this is something we need to continue, to work on and improve this part of the game.
"We created three or four good chances and the best chance of the game, from Domingos Quina."