Watford 0-0 Hull City: Ozan Tufan missed a penalty in the stalemate at Vicarage Road | Football News

Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship game between Watford and Hull City at Vicarage Road on Saturday | Ozan Tufan missed a penalty as Liam Rosenior's Tigers' play-off hopes fade

Ozan Tufan's penalty error left Hull with the mammoth task of reaching the play-offs after a 0-0 draw at Watford.

Home goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann saved the Turkish striker's penalty in the 11th minute of a lackluster game and now the Tigers, with three games left, sit six points adrift of the top six.

Hull started the day desperate for points to stay in touch with the promotion group.

Fifth-placed West Brom's defeat at Leicester at lunchtime gave the Tigers added incentive and they looked determined early on.

Watford got a taste of what to expect when Matty Jacobs' deft pass to Jaden Philogene completely eliminated right-back Ryan Andrews. Unfortunately for Philogene, Bachmann was able to easily collect his cross.

Shortly afterwards, Philogene received a shout-out from referee Ben Toner for overtaking Hornets defender Ryan Porteous in the Watford penalty area.

Then Hull was presented with a golden opportunity – and missed it.

Abdulkadir Omur and Tufan sent Fabio Carvalho into the penalty area from the left, where Wesley Hoedt brought him down.

Tufan, who had an unsuccessful loan spell at Watford in the Premier League in 2021/22, stepped up to take the penalty before the home game and was jeered by the Hornets fans.

That might have unsettled him – or it might have been Watford's defenders being uneasy because the ball wasn't in the penalty area – but Bachmann guessed right and dove to the left to block the free-kick, to the delight of the home fans.

Predictably, this got Watford going and Yaser Asprilla and Emmanuel Dennis tried their luck.

But the visitors looked more and more dangerous in the final third and Bachmann saved the Hornets again midway through the first half. Tufan almost redeemed himself with a backheel from close range, but Austrian stopper Bachmann somehow managed to keep the ball away at the foot of his right post in time.

Watford, seeking their first home win since November 28 – it was their 12th attempt – simply couldn't match Hull's attacking threat and the home side reached the break without a shot on target.

Tufan finally managed to get the ball into the net in the 52nd minute but was denied by a late offside flag.

Andrews' shot after the hour went wide of the post – meaning Watford Tigers keeper Ryan Allsop still hadn't troubled him.

Finally, in the 64th minute, Allsop had to make a save – but Ismael Kone's soft low shot was so easy.

Watford appeared to be completely out of ideas and shortly afterwards Vakoun Bayo's attempt to score with a header almost hit the corner flag.

Substitute Mileta Rajovic got Watford going after coming on in the 72nd minute. She won a free-kick after being overwhelmed by Alfie Jones and forced a flying save from Allsop with a 25-yard free-kick.

Hull substitute Liam Delap equalized with a shot from outside the box that went just wide of the far post.

Then, six minutes before the end, Bachmann decisively parried a Carvalho free kick.

The managers

Watford's Tom Cleverley:

“I don’t know how much homework went into it or if Dan was digging through the archives of the penalties against us, but it was a fantastic save.”

“Today he showed his true value. I knew he was valuable because I played alongside him all these years – not just on the field but also in the locker room.”

“He is a big challenge for me. He had to endure unfair criticism, but we fully believe in him and know how important he is for the team.”

Hull's Liam Rosenior:

“Their goalkeeper was great. All you have to do is hold your hands up. There was the penalty and three or four other world-class saves.”

“But there is no blame on Ozan. He was brilliant all season. He is brave and will take the next penalty.”

“I was satisfied with the reaction of the entire group afterwards. We didn't give up until the final whistle. I can’t fault this group – I’m so proud of them.”

“The players worked hard and never gave up. They are an honor for this club and an honor for the jersey.”