Tom Dele-Bashiru's second-half strike was his first goal in six appearances this season
Tom Dele-Bashiru’s simple close-range finish earned Watford a point and denied wasteful Coventry City a second Championship victory of the season.
Dele-Bashiru tapped the ball in at the far post after great work by the excellent Giorgi Chakvetadze midway through a much-improved second-half display that preserved Watfiord’s unbeaten home league run.
Ellis Simms' early header was all the Sky Blues had to show for a hugely impressive and dominant first 45 minutes.
But Tom Cleverley’s Hornets, who had won five in a row in all competitions under their new boss before losing to Sheffield United last time out, responded in style.
Watford seized control, but after Chakvetadze created the equaliser, the Georgian was taken off on a stretcher after a lengthy delay and the hosts lost their momentum.
Coventry finished the stronger but could not find a late winner during 13 minutes of added time.
Ellis Simms's only other goal this season was the winner in the League Cup tie against Bristol City
Simms’s second goal of the season, and his first in the league, set the tone for a thrilling match on a glorious sunny autumn day which ended with 35 attempts on goal and chances galore.
Coventry were well on top after Simms glanced the ball home via the inside of the post from Jack Rudoni's corner for the fourth-minute opener.
Ephron Mason-Clark was denied from close range by an instinctive save by Hornets keeper Daniel Bachmann, who then saved from Simms as the striker ran through, while Rudoni was also off-target with a strike.
But Cleverley’s half-time intervention brought urgency, with Chakvetadze, who came closest to scoring for the visitors with a low strike in the first half, the inspiration.
Chakvetadze, now the creator of the most chances in the division from open play, with 13, laid on a chance for Matty Pollock, before teeing up the equaliser for Dele-Bashiru.
The playmaker’s afternoon was cut short though as he had to be replaced after sustaining what Cleverly said was likely a back spasm that he added was "scary" but that the early signs were "good".
And although both sides pressed for a winner - with City's Haji Wright hitting the post with a header - neither could find one.
'Probably a fair result'
Watford boss Tom Cleverley told BBC Three Counties Radio:
“I think it was a stereotypical Championship game, a game of two halves. Probably a fair result.
“Both managers will see it as a point gained and not two lost because both managers will feel like they could have lost that game. A lot of bones to pick out of that one.
“The worrying thing for me as a coach is why have we conceded such good quality of chances as well. We knew they’ve crossed the ball more than any team in the division. I’m disappointed at how many crosses we let into our box.
“I thought we lost too many first and second-contacts in the first half. Second half we played with the handbrake off, nothing to lose and controlled the ball and stuck to the gameplan. But we don’t want to be chasing games every week.”
Coventry City boss Mark Robins told BBC CWR:
"I'm frustrated. In the end we accept the point, because you have to. The first-half performance was scintillating. We were really, really good.
"We created enough opportunities and played really well as well. We have had gilt-edged chances to put the game to bed in the first half and didn't take them.
"When that happens you know they are still in the game.
"We started to get a little bit tired. Some of the movement, the passing and running was fantastic. We defended really well from front to back.
"We have to be happy with that level of performance. The second half became more of a basketball game."
