Joshua King likened Watford’s exhilarating 1-1 draw against Newcastle United to a basketball match, after playing a vital role in the end-to-end encounter at Vicarage Road on Saturday.
The visitors were the first to score through Sean Longstaff before King became the provider for Watford’s response, flicking on Danny Rose’s corner towards the back post where Ismaïla Sarr was lurking to head home with a powerful finish.
King, 29, felt that it was breathless occasion until the final whistle, admitting his side have work to do to improve ahead of next week’s game at Leeds United.
“It felt like a basketball game at the end,” King said.
“Forward and back, back and forth. But if I’m being honest a point is fair. We weren’t good enough [in the first half], they were better than us.
“We started the game unbelievably with chances, getting corners but then we let ourselves off.
“I thought we were the best in the second half. When we got that goal it lifted us, the stadium and from then on it was mostly us despite some counters from them.”
Following a difficult opening 45 minutes, King explained that Watford Head Coach Xisco Muñoz wanted the team to use their pace to full effect.
“He wanted us to make more runs in-behind and offer ourselves to get on the ball,” he responded.
“It was better, the whole energy was better in the second half. We did what we were asked.
“They [Newcastle] have good players like Allan Saint-Maximin who can cause trouble for any team. I think a point is fair and it might be crucial.”
King assisted Sarr for Watford’s goal, intelligently picking out the Senegalese at the far post with the striker explaining his thought process for the goal.
“I was meant to block a player on the front post and I saw the ball coming towards me so I just tried to get a flick on,” King answered.
“I thought I was too wide to get it on goal, so I tried to get a flick on. It’s good connection between me and Sarr because I’ve given him three assists now in two games!”
The Norwegian was denied a late winning goal with VAR ruling it out for offside, but he felt the decision was fair.
“I was offside, but even if I was onside then there were three of us in question,” he said.
“They would have at least given it to the other two because they were blocking the keeper’s vision, but that’s why we have it. I’ve never had VAR on my side!”
King particularly enjoyed the atmosphere at Vicarage Road during the game, describing how much the supporters helped to drive the Golden Boys forward.
“It was amazing, especially when we were behind” he smiled.
“The fans lifted us even more after the Sarr goal and we could’ve got three points today, but a point is fair.”
