Birmingham City 1-1 Watford: Ken Sema preserves Hornets' unbeaten start
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Ken Sema's first goal since March 2021 preserved Watford's unbeaten start to the season
Watford preserved their unbeaten start in the Championship with a hard-fought draw against Birmingham at St Andrew's.
Vakoun Bayo redirected Craig Cathcart's header against the inside of the post on his first start for the club as the Hornets made a fast start.
Yet 18-year-old George Hall put Blues ahead against the run of play, arriving late in the box to meet Scott Hogan's pull-back with a smart first-time finish into the bottom corner.
Ken Sema's angled drive was diverted past John Ruddy by Rey Manaj after the break to bring the Hornets level and make it two wins and two draws for new boss Rob Edwards.
Joao Pedro had a late chance to claim Watford's first back-to-back league wins since August 2021 when he burst into the box, but his wild shot summed up a disappointing night for the Brazilian - the subject of reported interest from Premier League clubs.
Ismaila Sarr, also rumoured to be attracting top-flight attention, missed the game with a hamstring injury, but Edwards' side started well, Bayo putting a free header wide from Pedro's cross from six yards.
But within a minute of the Ivorian hitting the woodwork, Watford were behind to Hall's first senior goal.
The Hornets were soon cursing their luck once more when full-back Mario Gaspar touched the ball past keeper John Ruddy only to see Dion Sanderson make a brilliant sliding goal-line clearance.
Birmingham, who were led by two former Hornets captains in striker Troy Deeney and head coach John Eustace, responded well and gradually got on top.
And it was Watford's turn to score against the run of play when Gaspar burst clear down the right and Ruddy could only push the full-back's centre to Sema who lashed in from the edge of the box.
Birmingham head coach John Eustace told BBC Radio WM:
"We asked for a reaction after Saturday's performance, which was below-par, and we certainly got that tonight. I'm proud of the performance and it's a good point.
"I know they hit the post, but John (Ruddy) has had two saves to make all night.
"They had good pressure - they're an unbelievable team, a fantastic squad, I'd expect them to give us a lot of pressure, but I think the way we defended and looked after our goal and box was very pleasing.
"The only way we're going to get out of being favourites for relegation is by sticking together. We all know we're favourites, but the only way we do that is by getting the fans the players, the staff as one, and that's my job."
Watford boss Rob Edwards told BBC Three Counties Radio:
"I'm pleased with the performance. I asked the players to have a bit more control which I think we showed. I thought we were brave with the ball.
"Any time when you come away on a Tuesday night and go 1-0 down, to get a point you have to respect that because no-one's going to hand you anything in this game, nevermind in this league.
"But I do think on the balance of chances and the control that we had that we probably should have won.
"I don't think anyone should expect us to be the finished article after a few games, we have a lot to do. But the good thing is we know we have a lot to do, and we're picking up results."