Kabba has Boothroyd smiling again

ASKED for his assessment of an increasingly peculiar promotion race, Wolves manager Mick McCarthy was typically blunt.

“We’re all as bad as each other,” he said, after watching Watford gain revenge over his team for their 4-1 win in the FA Cup fourth-round tie at Vicarage Road nine days ago.

This defeat left Wolves 11th in the Championship, yet they are just 11 points adrift of leaders West Brom and only two shy of a play-off place.

That there is no outstanding team in the second tier this season is emphasised by the fact that Watford have lost five matches at home — this was their first win in the league at Vicarage Road since October 20 — but they are still second in the table.

Their unlikely hero in this game was Steve Kabba, a striker who appeared to have been frozen out by Watford manager Adrian Boothroyd.

Handed another first-team chance after Marlon King was sold to Wigan for €4.5million last month, Kabba has shone, and scored his first goal for the club — and his first in competitive action for more than two years — inside the first minute. Debutant Leigh Bromby’s long throw-in from the left was missed by both central defenders, Darren Ward and Rob Edwards, allowing Kabba to head the ball past Wayne Hennessey.

“I have never gone so long before without a goal,” said Kabba. “But, saying that, I haven’t played too many games so it does look worse than it is.

“I knew when Marlon left that there was one less striker to get past.

“My last goal was for Sheffield United against Colchester in the FA Cup in January 2006. It’s a very long time, and it did prey on my mind.

“But I never doubted my ability. I knew that once I was fit and playing regularly, I would score. I’m grateful to Aidy for giving me another chance.”

After Kabba’s goal, Wolves were the stronger team for the rest of the first half, but their lack of cutting edge, and Watford’s stout defending, meant goalkeeper Richard Lee was not tested seriously.

The home team regained their stride in the second half, with Jobi McAnuff posing plenty of problems on the left wing, and Nathan Ellington going close with a free-kick.

The second goal arrived 15 minutes from time, Ellington guiding Mat Sadler’s corner into the six yard box, where Tommy Smith was waiting to steer it beyond Hennessey.

Three minutes later, Smith doubled his tally, racing clear of the Wolves defence before sliding the ball beyond Hennessey.

“Having not won at home for three months, it was a rarity for me to be able to smile on a Saturday night,” Boothroyd observed.

WATFORD (4-4-2): Lee 7, Doyley 6, Mariappa 6, Bromby 7, Sadler 8, Smith 7, Eustace 6, O’Toole 6, McAnuff 7 (Ainsworth 81, 5), Kabba 7 (Henderson 69, 6), Ellington 6 (Bangura 84, 5).

Subs Not Used: Stewart, Williamson.

WOLVES (4-4-2): Hennessey 6, Foley 5, R Edwards 7, Ward 6, Gray 6, Elliott 5 (Kyle 63, 6), Henry 7, D Edwards 6, Jarvis 6, Ebanks-Blake 6, Keogh 6 (Bothroyd 78).

Subs Not Used: Stack, Breen, Potter.

REFEREE: Lee Probert (Wiltshire) 6: Allowed a fast, physical game to flow, and managed to resist the temptation to book any player. A solid performance.

MATCH RATING: *** Kabba’s first-minute goal led to a relatively open game, as both teams looked to attack one another throughout. The scoreline flattered the home side slightly.