Two stunning free-kicks within three breathless minutes lit up Vicarage Road as Watford and Southampton shared a 2-2 Championship draw. Ryan Manning appeared to have won it with a low, curling strike late on, only for Nestory Irankunda to answer from even further out and rescue a point for the hosts.
Earlier, Cameron Archer's close-range finish after 10 minutes gave the visitors an early advantage, cancelled out midway through the second half by substitute Kwadwo Baah's powerful equaliser. The result leaves both clubs on five points from their opening four league matches, as new head coaches Paulo Pezzolano and Will Still continue to bed in their ideas with evolving squads heading into the international break.
Archer Pounces as Saints Make the Faster Start
Southampton struck first after 10 minutes, capitalising on a set piece. Manning's whipped corner found defender Nathan Wood, whose mistimed header ricocheted off Archer and dropped invitingly for the striker to thump over goalkeeper Egil Selvik from barely three yards.