Ipswich Town 1-1 Watford: Imran Louza continues fine scoring form

Watford captain Imran Louza scored for the fourth time in as many games as his side frustrated Ipswich Town to secure a draw at Portman Road.

Midfielder Louza slotted home to hand the Hornets an early lead before Jaden Philogene’s emphatic finish levelled matters.

Ipswich created more opportunities, the best falling to substitute Ivan Azon who headed wide and was then denied by a desperate stop from Watford goalkeeper Egil Selvik.

Marcelino Nunez also went close late on, but the visitors – who remain without an away win in the Championship this season – held on for a point.

Both teams made three changes to their winning line-ups from the weekend and two of the incoming Ipswich trio, Jens Cajuste and Chuba Akpom, combined early on for a slick move that ended with Swedish midfielder Cajuste curling narrowly wide.

It was Watford who struck first against the run of play, with Kwadwo Baah’s deft backheel releasing Marc Bola on the left and his low cross deflected for Louza to tuck away from close range.

That setback failed to disrupt the home side’s rhythm and they hit back six minutes later as Cedric Kipre’s ball pierced the Watford defence and picked out Philogene, running on to slam first time across Selvik into the far corner.

Although Akpom forced a save from Selvik soon after the restart, it was Kieran McKenna’s triple substitution that reinvigorated the home side in the final half hour, with Jack Clarke, Jack Taylor and Azon all helping to apply pressure.

Spanish forward Azon, on loan from Como, should have registered his first goal in Ipswich colours but misdirected his header after the impressive Sindre Egeli had supplied an inviting cross from the right.

Clarke’s pace and delivery on the opposite flank also brought danger and he whipped over another cross for Azon, whose header found the target this time – only for Selvik to claw it away.

Watford did threaten on the break, with Mamadou Doumbia firing their best chance over the bar, but were relieved to settle for a draw after Nunez blazed over from close range in added time.