Watford lose nerve and two points

Watford 3 Fulham 3

Goals from Marlon King and Ashley Young had Watford cruising to their first Premiership win of the season, but they could not hang on and allowed Fulham to score three goals in 15 minutes through substitute Brian McBride, Heidar Helguson and a shocking own-goal from Damien Francis.

Young’s second goal in the 89th minute meant Watford rescued a point, but manager Adrian Boothroyd will have been concerned by the lack of steel his team showed late on.

Fulham should have gone in front in the 17th minute when Papa Bouba Diop sent Moritz Volz clear down the left.

Hornets goalkeeper Ben Foster slipped as he came out to close the angle, but Volz could not take advantage and shot wide of the left post.

King then shook off Pearce and sent a fierce low shot just wide of Niemi’s right post.

In the 23rd minute, King gave Watford the lead by beating the offside trap before controlling Young’s brilliant lofted past and steering the ball beyond Niemi from eight yards.

Fulham boss Chris Coleman sent his team out early for the second half — but it did not have the desired effect as Watford doubled their advantage 15 seconds after the re-start.

Mahon collected King’s lay-off before slipping the ball wide to Bouazza, who had escaped the attentions of Liam Rosenior.

The Frenchman’s low left-wing cross was perfectly weighted for Young to slide in at the far post and supply the finishing touch.

In the 59th minute, Coleman sent on McBride for the ineffective Collins John — and the decision almost paid instant dividends.

The veteran American’s clever reverse pass found Helguson, whose powerfully-struck shot was too close to Foster, and the on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper was able to make a smart save.

Fulham looked to be beaten, but they suddenly found a way back into the match in the 71st minute.

Malky Mackay could only head Routledge’s right-wing cross directly above himself, and when the ball dropped McBride reacted the quickest and volleyed crisply beyond Foster from 10 yards.

Watford were dropping far too deep – and they were punished when Helguson equalised against his former club.

Niemi’s long free-kick was nodded on by Diop for Tomasz Radzinski, who hooked the ball back across goal for the unmarked Helguson to head in from three yards.

Fulham then seized the lead in bizarre fashion when Mackay and substitute Matthew Spring failed to clear a high ball, and Francis then did the unthinkable by thrashing the ball into his own net.

But Watford were not finished and Young grabbed his second of the game with a fine volley from 15 yards after more uncertain defending.

WATFORD: Foster, DeMerit, Shittu, Mackay, Stewart, Young, Mahon, Francis (Henderson 89), Bouazza, King, Smith (Spring 76).

FULHAM: Niemi, Rosenior, Knight, Pearce, Queudrue, Volz (Radzinski 62), Diop, Brown, Bocanegra (Routledge 53), Helguson, John (McBride 59).

Referee: M Riley (W Yorkshire).