Mamadou Doumbia: Photo Credit: Watford FC.
Watford manager Tom Cleverly has praised Malian youthful striker Mamadou Doumbia after his impressive debut in a two-all draw with hosts Sunderland on Saturday afternoon.
The 18-year Doumbia did not score but Cleverly noticed something special in the youngster during the Skybet Championship game at Stadium on Light.
“I thought his hold-up play was excellent, occupying two experienced centre halves. With his desire and quality, it was a very, very complete performance. He should take a lot of heart from that, and build on that,” Cleverley said of the Malian striker.
Apart from Doumbia who stepped in the shoes of suspended Vakoun Bayo, the Watford coach also acknowledged the performance of goalkeeper Egil Selvik.
Sunderland scored first through Luke O’nien in the 16th minute before the visitors responded via 25-year-old Nigerian Tom Dele-Bashiru’s penalty two minutes before half-time then Moroccan Imran Louza extended the lead a minute after the break.
Watford needed Dennis Cirkin’s 89th-minute strike to snatch a point and remain in 10th place, 19 steps behind fourth-placed Sunderland.
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