It was not the result Watford wanted at the start of the evening but come Sunday, May 12 the late point Watford snatched in last night’s 1-1 draw against Southampton may prove to be crucial in determining their final position in the Premier League table.

The Hornets were rocked inside eight seconds after Shane Long scored the fastest goal in Premier League history, but although Javi Gracia’s men didn’t play particularly well they continued to battle until the end and were rewarded when Andre Gray levelled in the last minute of normal time.

Here’s how we scored the Hornets as they reached the 50-point mark this season.

Ben Foster – 6

Having conceded inside eight seconds when he was left exposed by Craig Cathcart’s mistake, Foster produced some key stops and also utilised his other goalkeeping qualities to help keep the Saints at bay. Not his best night with the boot though, and got away with some wayward clearances.

Watford Observer:

Daryl Janmaat – 6

After a tough first half in which he struggled at times with the pace of Ryan Bertrand, benefited from the switch to three at the back and had some licence to roam to help the Hornets’ attacking numbers.

Christian Kabasele – 6.5

One slip in the first half almost proved very costly when Bertrand hit the post, but the Belgian grew with the responsibility of being the only centre half in the back three after the break and marshalled the line well. Backed his pace to get him out of awkward situations on more than one occasion and it proved well judged most of the time, although there were a couple of hairy moments such as when he hauled Shane Long down the very edge of the area.

Craig Cathcart – 4.5

The Northern Irish international is so often the steady calming influence in defence, but he struggled to recover after his costly early lapse and that shakiness seemed to rub off on his teammates. Replaced by Kiko Femenia at the start of the second period.

Adam Masina – 6.5

The left-back continues to steadily grow in stature. Received little support in the first half, but another who was not adversely affected by the change of system, making some valuable defensive interventions after the break.

Will Hughes – 5

Supplied the pass that almost set up Gray’s early equaliser, but struggled to bring his quality to bear thereafter as Southampton sought to suffocate Watford’s attacking advances. Replaced by Isaac Success with 15 minutes remaining.

Abdoulaye Doucoure – 5.5

Alongside Etienne Capoue, the Frenchman found it tough going to gain some semblance of midfield control in the first half and give his side a platform on which to build. That improved after the break, but his passing was particularly awry on occasions.

Watford Observer:

Etienne Capoue – 6.5

Never stopped prompting and probing, the pick of the Hornets midfield looked the most likely to open up the Saints’ massed ranks with his passing ability. The stand-in skipper now has the unwanted record of the most cautioned player in the Premier League this season after his 12th yellow card of the campaign.

Watford Observer:

Roberto Pereyra – 5

The Argentinian midfielder returned from his injury lay-off but drifted in and out of the game to the extent of becoming a peripheral figure for periods. There were periods when he threatened to create with his ability but the end product was too often lacking.

Gerard Deulofeu – 6

The Spaniard always looked the player most likely to get Watford back on terms, going very close with a fine curling effort in the first half. Deulofeu was pushed into wider roles after the break and while perhaps guilty of trying to be overly intricate at times he continued to persevere when frustration could have got the better of him.

Andre Gray – 6

After being denied a second-minute equaliser by a sprawling Angus Gunn save, it turned into a difficult night for the striker as he struggled to hold the ball up. But he was another who personified Watford’s spirt, willingness to keep going and was rewarded when the ball broke for him to equalise.

Substitutes

Kiko Femenia – 6

Brought on at the start of the second half and helped stretch Saints’ organised ranks on the right flank, although one lax header put Kabasele into trouble when he had to haul down Long.

Isaac Success – 6

Came on for the final 15 minutes and his physical presence gave the Hornets an additional dimension as they sought an equaliser and their opponents something else to think about. He combined to neat effect with Gray to set Deulofeu away for one late opportunity.