Craig Cathcart headed home his second goal of the season as Watford came from behind to defeat Crystal Palace 2-1 in their Premier League clash at Selhurst Park at the weekend.
The 29-year-old atoned for his own goal, which had given the Eagles a half-time lead, when he headed in an equaliser from a Jose Holebas corner in the 67th minute.
Midfielder Tom Cleverley’s stunning volley in the second-half gave the Hornets all three points and after the victory he was full of praise for his former Manchester United team-mate.
“I don’t think he let the own goal affect him too much,” said Cleverley, “he couldn’t do anything about it.
“I think at the time we could have defended the first ball better but Craig’s been magnificent for us all season, I grew up with Craig playing academy football and then on loan here 10 years ago.
“This is the best football I’ve seen him play and I was happy he got one at the right end.”
Watford head coach Javi Garcia was also impressed with Cathcart’s performance and character.
“He knows I trust him,” said Garcia. “With own goals or other situations, it is not the most important.
“His attitude, his character, his passion, his ambition is important to me, like the rest of the players - after conceding the goal, to be able to turn the score around, is very good for the team.”
In League Two former Burnley trainee Shay McCartan hit a superb volley from 30-yards for nine-man Lincoln City in their 2-2 at Swindon Town.
It was the 24-year-old’s fifth of the season and Imps boss Danny Cowley admitted he was not surprised by the quality of McCartan’s finish.
Speaking to BBC Radio Lincolnshire Cowley said: “He does that Shay he can do that in training as he’s got that individual brilliance.
“He has that quality there’s no doubt and it was a great goal.”
Oh. My. Word.@shaymccartan caught this volley perfectly for @SkyBetLeagueTwo leaders @LincolnCity_FC 💥#EFLonQuest coming up at 9pm for reaction from @Dean36ashton10... @TheImpsChat @dancowley1 pic.twitter.com/gQHi8mT6OK
— Quest (@QuestTV) January 12, 2019
In-form Shane Ferguson made his 150th appearance for Millwall at home to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday evening, however his joy was cut short as Tony Mowbray’s outfit left with all three points following two late goals.
After missing the last the last three games with a hamstring injury Jamal Lewis returned to the Norwich City defence in their 1-1 draw at West Bromwich Albion a result which saw them drop to third place in the Championship table.
Left-back Danny Lafferty, who is on-loan at Peterborough United until the end of the season, made his league debut for Posh in their 2-1 home win over Rochdale who had Rory Holden, Callum Camps and former Coleraine winger Stephen Dooley all in their starting line-up.
Finally, Ollie Norwood and Gavin Whyte both clocked up their fifth assists of the season for Sheffield United and Oxford United respectively.