Will Mannion's outstanding display and Nestory Irankuda's attacking threat were central to a 1-1 draw between Watford and Charlton Athletic in a game that rarely settled. Charlton went in front through Matty Godden, who scored with his first touch shortly after coming on just past the hour, but Watford responded through Irankuda's emphatic 74th-minute finish.
Both sides created enough to win it. There was woodwork at each end, several sharp interventions from Mannion, and moments of danger from Charlton's direct running, particularly through Tyreece Campbell. The point extended Charlton's unbeaten away run to six matches, while Watford were left to reflect on a contest in which they generated sustained pressure and a long list of chances.
An open game took shape almost immediately
Charlton were first to threaten when Campbell's cross found Lloyd Jones inside the box after only two minutes, but the defender headed over. Watford's reply came within a minute. Giorgi Chakvetadze released Irankunda, and the forward's effort forced Mannion into an early save, the goalkeeper pushing the ball past his right post.