Watford 2-2 Leeds: Sub Mateo Joseph bundles home late equaliser but visitors miss chance to reclaim top spot… with Vakoun Bayo and Emmanuel Dennis scoring in the first-half for Hornets

Leeds had boss Daniel Farke to thank after keeping their unbeaten record for 2024 intact, and their promotion push on track, with a late equaliser from supersub Mateo Joseph last night.

Farke’s men had been relentless in winning 12 out of their 13 league games this calendar year, but looked on course for a first defeat since December at the hands of a resurgent Watford. 

Vakoun Bayo and Emmanuel Dennis scored for the hosts either side of Crysencio Summerville’s excellent equaliser.

But Farke sent on 20-year-old Joseph and he bundled home an equaliser a minute after coming on, to keep Leeds just one point behind leaders Ipswich and ahead of Leicester in a promotion push set to go down to the wire.

It was disappointment for Hornets caretaker boss Tom Cleverley, but he has four points from two games since replacing Valerien Ismael and is making a convincing case to be given the job permanently.

Willy Gnonto’s absence through injury offered Dan James a chance to end one of the hardest weeks of his career on a high after the winger’s missed penalty cost his country a place at Euro 2024.

James was quiet early on though and chances were few and far between until Bayo fired Watford ahead in the 31st minute, volleying in the rebound after Illan Meslier leapt superbly to deny Dennis.

Summerville provided Leeds’ response, curling into the far corner brilliantly after cutting in from the left-hand side. Dennis restored the hosts’ lead with a beauty of his own. A mirror of Summerville’s equaliser, the Nigerian danced inside from the right flank and fired past Meslier.

Summerville was a constant threat for Leeds and came close to another equaliser after the break. 

But instead it was supersub Joseph who found the leveller, finishing from close range moments after being sent on. 

Fellow sub Jaidon Anthony nearly made it 3-2 soon after but Farke will have to settle for second — until Easter Monday at least.