By Chris Wright
Watford will meet either Brighton or Crystal Palace in the Championship play-off final at Wembley after squeezing past Leictester City at the very death in the second leg of their semi-final at Vicarage Road earlier today.
With the aggregate score level at 2-2 and Leicester going through on away goals, the Foxes were given the chance to put the result beyond doubt when they won themselves a penalty in the 97th minute (only four minutes of stoppage time had been scheduled).
However, Anthony Knockaert was denied not once but twice by Watford ‘keeper Manuel Almunia, with the Hornets then swarming (pun shamefully intended) up-field and scoring their third goal of the afternoon within the space of ten seconds through Troy Deeney’s emphatic finish – cue hundreds of “Knockaert Blow!” headlines across the country.
Of course, a manic pitch invasion then ensued..
Incredible, though spare a thought for poor old Knockaert, who issued the following forlorn apology on Twitter minutes after the game…
I’m really sorry for the fans to Leicester , I’m very sad for everyone. Thank you very for you support all the season . I LOVE LEICESTER .
— Aknockaert (@Aknockaert) May 12, 2013
It’s sad, so sad. It’s a sad, sad situation.