Watford boss Javi Gracia praised the spirit of his players as they fought back to earn a 1-1 draw against Southampton. Shane Long scored the fastest goal in Premier League history, firing his side ahead after only 7.69 seconds to stun Vicarage Road, but it was cancelled out by a last-minute one from Andre Gray as the Hornets snatched a point.
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It could have been much worse for Watford as Southampton could have scored more in the first half with Nathan Redmond and Ryan Bertrand both hitting the woodwork. But FA Cup finalists Watford dominated after the break and their pressure was rewarded when Gray swept home from close range to lift the Hornets up to seventh.
Gracia was happy with the second-half performance, and the Spirit of his players, who never give up. “The first goal was very strange,” said the Hornets boss. “Southampton played better in the first half and could have killed the game. “In the second half we found a better balance and we scored a goal. It’s an important point. “It’s something my players are always doing, they show good spirit, we are getting goals late in games because they don’t want to lose.”
