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Stoke 0-0 Watford: Potters lifted out of bottom three after battling out goalless stalemate as Gerard Deulofeu underwhelms on his Hornets debut

Aside from a few half-chances from both Stoke and Watford, this encounter was far from one to scream about.

With two relatively new managers looking to make their mark in their respective dugouts, it's fair to say both would have taken a draw at the beginning of the night, but for Stoke it was two points dropped rather than one gained.

The Potters remain in the bottom three following their fiery goalless draw at the Bet365 Stadium, while Watford can continue the bid for a top half finish.

Peter Crouch holds his head in his hands as Stoke battle out a goalless draw with Watford on Wednesday night
Peter Crouch holds his head in his hands as Stoke battle out a goalless draw with Watford on Wednesday night
New bosses Paul Lambert (left) and Javi Martinez greet each other before kick off at the Bet365 Stadium
New bosses Paul Lambert (left) and Javi Martinez greet each other before kick off at the Bet365 Stadium
Stoke forward Mame Biram Diouf heads an early opportunity for the home side wide of the Watford goal
Stoke forward Mame Biram Diouf heads an early opportunity for the home side wide of the Watford goal
Hornets star Christian Kabasele lunges in on Maxim Choupo-Moting to dispossess the Potters forward
Hornets star Christian Kabasele lunges in on Maxim Choupo-Moting to dispossess the Potters forward
Watford's new boy Gerard Deulofeu made his debut after joining from Barcelona on loan until the end of the season
Watford's new boy Gerard Deulofeu made his debut after joining from Barcelona on loan until the end of the season
Spain international Deulofeu looks to readjust to life in the Premier League as he battles for the ball with Erik Pieters
Spain international Deulofeu looks to readjust to life in the Premier League as he battles for the ball with Erik Pieters
Hornets defender Adrian Mariappa appeals to the referee to halt play as he is forced to re-tie his bootlaces
Hornets defender Adrian Mariappa appeals to the referee to halt play as he is forced to re-tie his bootlaces
Referee Jonathan Moss issues a yellow card to Kabasele after conceding a foul for a challenge on Xherdan Shaqiri
Referee Jonathan Moss issues a yellow card to Kabasele after conceding a foul for a challenge on Xherdan Shaqiri
The midfielder could have no complaints as he deliberately hauls the Stoke playmaker to the ground after being passed
The midfielder could have no complaints as he deliberately hauls the Stoke playmaker to the ground after being passed
Captain Troy Deeney and new boy Deulofeu discuss tactics as the sides go in at half time caught in a goalless stalemate
Captain Troy Deeney and new boy Deulofeu discuss tactics as the sides go in at half time caught in a goalless stalemate
Stoke's latest signing Badou Ndiaye is unveiled to the home supporters at half time after completing his move
Stoke's latest signing Badou Ndiaye is unveiled to the home supporters at half time after completing his move
Diouf rises above Watford goalkeeperu00a0Orestis Karnezis to win a head as Ryan Shawcross also makes a challenge
Diouf rises above Watford goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis to win a head as Ryan Shawcross also makes a challenge
Lambert sends on super sub Peter Crouch in the hope of snatching a late victory, as he rises to head at goal
Lambert sends on super sub Peter Crouch in the hope of snatching a late victory, as he rises to head at goal
Crouch came close to giving Stoke the lead after being brought on but his effort was well stopped by the Hornets keeper
Crouch came close to giving Stoke the lead after being brought on but his effort was well stopped by the Hornets keeper
Midfielder Tom Cleverly limps off the pitch with Watford medical staff after sustaining an injury late in the second half
Midfielder Tom Cleverly limps off the pitch with Watford medical staff after sustaining an injury late in the second half
Mariappa (left) does all he can to stop Choupo-Moting from passing him and his forced to tug on the Stoke forward's shirt
Mariappa (left) does all he can to stop Choupo-Moting from passing him and his forced to tug on the Stoke forward's shirt