Stoke City booed off after Paul Lambert's third game in charge as Potters draw blank against Watford

Stoke City 0 Watford 0: Neither won in the battle of new managers but Lambert got rough treatment

A scrappy game ended up with no winner (Getty)

Stoke City were booed by fans in just their third game under Paul Lambert as they played out a dour goalless draw with Watford.

The sides shared the spoils from a game that will not live long the memory, leaving new Hornets boss Javi Gracia with a point from his first two games in charge.

For Lambert, his third game at the helm in the Potteries brought a disjointed display from his relegation-threatened side as the visitors made most of the running.

But Watford were grateful to goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis for a smart, second-half save to earn them a useful point on the road in a contest of few clear chances.

The boos at the final whistle from the home crowd were muted but audible as they reacted to a performance in which their side lacked cohesion against opponents who have been on the slide.

Watford had the first chance in the second minute when a cross by Jose Holebas fell for Sebastian Prodl, but his low effort was saved by Jack Butland.


 Stoke and Watford couldn't muster a goal 
 (Getty Images)

The home side might have led two minutes later, however, when Darren Fletcher switched play to the right flank, from where Xherdan Shaqiri crossed onto the head of Mame Diouf.

The striker threw himself at the ball but his diving header went wide of the far post.

And 15 minutes into a low-key opening, Tom Cleverley fired over the crossbar for the Hornets from the edge of the Stoke penalty area.

Finally, on 26 minutes, Stoke managed a quickfire counter-attack with Shaqiri and Diouf heavily involved.

The eventually ran for Maxim Choupo-Moting, who curled a shot just wide from a tricky angle.

Eight minutes before half-time Stoke had to withstand some Watford pressure after Moritz Bauer conceded a free-kick needlessly to the Hornets.

Holebas delivered it, Abdoulaye Doucoure flicked it on and Erik Pieters had to make an important headed clearance from a couple of yards out for the hosts to prevent a Watford player nodding it home.

A presentable opportunity went begging for the visitors just before the break when Richarlison steered a shot just wide from a cross by Deulofeu.

Stoke looked to be gaining the initiative when they had a let-off as Ryan Shawcross deflected an effort from Watford substitute Roberto Pereyra for a corner.

But it was Stoke who almost led on 62 minutes when Shaqiri found himself with a shooting chance eight yards out and forced goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis into a smart save.

Stoke (4-2-3-1): Butland: Bauer, Kouma, Shawcross, Pieters; Fletcher, Adam (Crouch 60); Shaqiri, Allen, Choupo-Moting; Diouf (Berahino 84). Subs: Grant, Johnson, Cameron, Stafylidis, Ramadan.

Watford (4-2-3-1): Karnezis; Mariappa, Kabasele, Prödl, Holebas; Doucoure, Cleverley (Pereyra 72); Deulofeu (Carrillo 88), Capoue, Richarlison (Gray 67); Deeney. Subs: Bachmann, Zeegelaar, Janmaat, Stewart, Carrillo.

Attendance: 27,458

Referee: Jon Moss.