Watford reach playoff final on 97th-minute penalty double save and counter-attack winner
By Brooks Peck | Dirty Tackle
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Watford have reached the Championship playoff final and a chance at promotion to the Premier League after beating Leicester in the most stunning way possible. Leicester took a 1-0 lead into the second leg of the semifinal tie, but Watford came back at their home ground. With the aggregate score at 2-2 deep into injury time, Leicester were awarded a penalty for very soft foul/dive from Antony Knockaert and that's when things took a turn for the unbelievable.
The Foxes' advancement was virtually a sure thing as Knockaert just had to convert the penalty to seal the win, but former Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia changed all that by making the save and then also saving his follow-up attempt. As the home fans celebrated, the ball was cleared up the pitch and Watford instantly composed themselves to mount a counter attack. A cross was played in to Jonathan Hogg, who headed the ball towards the penalty spot, where Troy Deeney drove in the winning goal in the 97th minute.
Everyone lost their minds. Watford manager Gianfranco Zola got run over by a member of his own staff, but kept on celebrating. Leicester's players were understandably stunned and Sky Sports' commentator couldn't get his words straight. Here's his perfectly bewildered call...
Watford will now play the winner of Brighton & Hove Albion v Crystal Palace in the final for a place in the Premier League while Leicester are left to wonder how that series of events could have possibly happened in real life.
Knockaert hopes for the grass to swallow him whole. (Getty)
