Paulo Pezzolano hails Watford’s character following comeback win over Oxford

Watford head coach Paulo Pezzolano believes fighting back again after falling behind shows Watford’s character as they edged a 2-1 Championship victory at home to Oxford.

A goal conceded after just three minutes put the Hertfordshire side behind for the fourth time in six games.

But a quick-fire first-half double from Jeremy Ngakia – following two mistakes from Oxford goalkeeper Jamie Cumming – cancelled out a Max Alleyne own goal.

It was an uneasy week for Watford, with Nestory Irankunda starting after being replaced just 35 minutes in, last time out at Portsmouth.

But Pezzolano praised both the Australia international and the way his side continued to overcome disadvantages.

He said: “The good thing is that the team continues to show that character, continues to show that determination and attitude to turn things around, in negative situations.

“One day it may not be possible because it’s not easy to turn around a game. The goal was a little bit of misfortune, the ball did something a bit strange, but it’s always good knowing that the team has that characteristic.

“Getting those two goals gave us the tranquillity and calmness to face the second half, but I was a bit upset that we didn’t get the third goal.

“We have a great worker at the club who is in charge of the set-pieces, James Duckering – he develops the ideas.

“Nestory is a very young player but he trains very hard every day. The most important thing is to help him develop and to work for the club.”

Oxford got off to the best start possible after less than three minutes, when a Brian De Keersmaecker corner found Alleyne at the near post, who unfortunately turned the ball past his own goalkeeper Egil Selvik.

The hosts were then gifted two goals in two first-half stoppage-time minutes, thanks to Cumming. Firstly, he parried a Luca Kjerrumgaard header, but he was unable to direct the ball away from Ngakia, who was on hand to head home.

Then, he flapped at an Ngakia cross direct from a corner as Watford took the lead.

Rocco Vata fired wide just after the restart, while Cumming then denied him and Irankunda in quick succession on 55 minutes.

Defeat still keeps Oxford in the bottom three, but head coach Gary Rowett backed his goalkeeper.

He said: “To get to 43 minutes at 1-0, my team talks and tactics are different for the second half. Then in two or three minutes time, you’re coming in at 2-1 down.

“First one is a ball in the box, which should be dealt with by us. You should deal with that in the Championship, week in, week out.

“For the second one I think Jamie gets a little nudge. But he’ll be really disappointed how he lets it goes through his hands. He’s made some stunning saves for us the time I’ve been here.

“It is what it is – we’re a team and there’s no finger pointing.

“I don’t think our performance was fantastic. We performed pretty well and there’s something in the game.”