Watford 0-0 Middlesbrough: Out-of-form Hornets held by low scoring Boro as game is overshadowed by tributes to Graham Taylor

Daily Mail | January 14, 2017

Two sides who have struggled for form of late failed to raise their game on a cold Saturday afternoon overshadowed by a poignant opening.

Both Watford and Middlesbrough fans rose to applaud former England manager Graham Taylor, who passed away this week. Taylor managed Watford twice and led them to the top flight on both occasions.

On the pitch, Watford midfielder Etienne Capoue and striker Troy Deeney missed one-on-one opportunities, while Cristhian Stuani had the ball in the net but saw it ruled out for offside.

More to follow.

Both clubs paid respects to former Watford and England manager Graham Taylor who died last week aged 72

Watford had to replace goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes in the second half with Costel Pantillimon after he suffered an injury

Middlesbrough gave a debut to Rudy Gestede (second right) as a second half substitute as Aitor Karanka tested playing 3-5-2

Watford's Etienne Capoue (left) missed a glorious one-on-one chance against Middlesbrough keeper Victor Valdes early on

Capoue could have taken the ball around Valdes after nine minutes, but spurned the big opportunity

Cristhian Stuani (right) had a goal chalked off after 11 minutes for marginal offside after an Alvaro Negredo knock-down

Watford's Valon Behrami lies on the pitch after sustaining an injury while Middlesbrough's Adam Forshaw looks on

Abdoulaye Doucoure of Watford heads the ball during a tight and fairly quiet first half at Vicarage Road

Neither Negredo (left) nor Watford captain Troy Deeney received good service during a poor opening 45 minutes

Marten de Roon (left) and Calum Chambers (right) battle for possession of the ball with home forward Stefano Okaka

Valdes rises to take a catch despite interest from Okaka; the former Barcelona keeper was kept busy on Saturday

Stuani attempts to swing a ball into the box under pressure from Watford centre back Sebastian Prodl (right)

Watford's Jose Holebas and Middlesbrough captain Grant Leadbitter fight for the ball in a congested midfield

Capoue curls a good effort narrowly wide as Watford fans watch on from the Graham Taylor stand

Okaka went down in the box under pressure from Bernardo Espinosa late in the game, but was booked for simulation

Walter Mazzarri (centre) is under pressure as his Watford side had only won once in eight league games before this fixture

Aitor Karanka's Middlesbrough are the lowest scorers in the Premier League this season, with just 17 goals to their name