Peterborough United went to Vicarage Road and left with a 5:1 victory in the League Cup Round of 64. Harry Leonard carried the side with two goals, while Mamadou Doumbia pulled one back late on for the hosts. It was a night where Watford controlled the ball but lost the game on the scoreboard.
The damage was already done before the break. An own goal from James Clarridge in the 10th minute put Watford on the back foot, and to be fair, the visitors looked sharper. Around the 20th minute, Watford looked composed, but Leonard broke through in the 23rd to double the lead.
Three changes for Watford at the restart, including Raphael London and Vernon Masara, but the floodgates stayed open. Bolu Shofowoke netted in the 55th minute to make it 1:4, and Harrison Jones rounded off the scoring shortly after. Watford manager tried to stir things up with more substitutions, bringing on Martín Payero and Benjamin Woods. By then, Peterborough were simply managing the game.
Mamadou Doumbia scored for Watford in the 73rd minute, a moment of pride in a difficult afternoon. And here's the thing: Watford pinned them back for long spells, holding 63% possession, but the shots on target tell the truth. Peterborough relied on efficiency, finishing with an expected goals tally of 3.21 against the hosts’ 1.76. It was a classic case of territory without penetration.
George Nevett picked up a yellow card in the 83rd minute as the visitors saw out the final minutes. Watford had dominated the attacks with 111 compared to 66, yet the shots on target tell the truth. Peterborough advance, leaving Watford to reflect on a wasted opportunity.
