The Icelander, temporarily back at the Vic after a three month loan deal was agreed with his parent club Queens Park Rangers during the week, took no time at all re-acquainting himself with scoring in the front of the Rookery.

Since moving away from Watford four seasons ago, Helguson’s career has been mixed at best. Just eleven goals in 57 matches at Fulham was less than expected for a player of his calibre. Bolton Wanderers then took a gamble on him but he only sparsely featured with two goals in seven appearances. This led to him being shipped out on loan to Queen Park Rangers but a subsequent move to Watford seems to have re-vitalised the talented Icelandic marksman.

The game that signalled Helguson’s return to a club where he is regarded fondly as “God”, had all the ingredients of a classic. Leicester City, back in the Championship this season after a comfortable season in League 1 last campaign leading to promotion, played their part in a wonderful battle.

Leicester looked lively in the opening exchanges and Watford’s jittery defending almost handed them a perfect start to the game. First, Paul Gallagher was allowed the time to pick out Steve Howard in the 12 yard-box but his shot was blocked. A mis-judged back pass from ever-present left back Lloyd Doyley screamed danger and Matty Fryatt almost pounced to give Leicester a deserved lead but ‘keeper Scott Loach was alert to the danger and dealt with it accordingly.

The away side’s pressure duly prevailed but only through crazy defending from experienced midfielder, John Eustace. For a split second however he lost his usually cool head and flailed in the penalty area like a youth academy youngster nervous on debut, and needlessly handled the ball, giving away a penalty. Up stepped Matty Fryatt to confidently dispatch the spot kick for a lead that Leicester warranted, due in part to Watford’s woeful defending. All around the field, Watford were handing the initiative to City by simply standing off their players, allowing them time to produce threatening opportunities.

Watford’s only moments of encouragement came from two free kicks on the edge of the Leicester area but unusually, on-loan teenager Tom Cleverley was unable to work an opening from the consequent set pieces and easy work was made of them by City ‘keeper Chris Weale.

At the other end, goalscorer Fryatt was looking a constant threat in and around the Hornet’s twelve yard box and his presence was to lead to more success in front of goal. He was giving recently acquired central defender, Craig Cathcart, (another shrewd loan signing from the champions Manchester United) a tough time on his debut. It was Fryatt, that going with the script of the game, punished Watford further in the 40^th minute. A well executed through ball from Paul Gallagher left Fryatt one-on-one with Cathcart on the corner of the twelve yard box. Neat footwork allowed him to out fox the Manchester United man and his low shot coolly beat Loach and half time looked as if it couldn’t come soon enough for the Hornets. But for brave defending from Cathcart, it could have been worse before half time but he managed to block another goalbound effort from Steve Howard.

If Watford ever needed a motivating team talk and switch of tactics it was now. Seemingly deflated leaving the pitch at half time, the crowd was lifted by the arrival of Helguson for his second spell at the club, replacing Henri Lansbury after the break. Danny Graham was having a ineffective game on his own up front so the Icelander was bound to create another dimension for Watford’s attacking presence.

The Hornets seemed buoyed by the return of Helguson and looked rejuvenated from the restart. Don Cowie had an erractic afternoon with his crosses and corners but in the early stages of the second half he was finding Helguson in loads of space, determined to grant him a return goal at the Vic. One minute into the second half, Helguson was inches away from grabbing a goal but he couldn’t reach a ball from strike partner, Graham. It was Cowie who had another good chance to reduce the deficit five minutes into the second half but he dithered ten yards in front of goal and his shot was blocked in the penalty area melee.

Former Luton Town man Steve Howard, was looking deadly in the air and his shot was tipped over the bar by Scott Loach as Leicester looked to extend their fragile lead.

At the other end however, the pressure was building for the Hornets and finally in the 58^th minute, Leicester’s resolve was defeated. Right back Lee Hodson’s cross was nodded on by Helguson on the edge of the penalty area, finding Danny Graham six yards out. Graham’s strength held off defender Jack Hobbs and his low shot, trickled underneath Weale. This game was very much alive and the home team knew that.

Now enter the home hero. Helguson had looked lively throughout the first 15 minutes of the second half and his exhilarating return was about to come to fruition. Another menacing ball in from Lee Hodson evaded everyone except the Icelander who roared in at the back post to level the match and send the Hornet’s supporters into raptures. A game that looked so lost at half time was back in the balance yet again. A game of two halves this certainly was.

Leicester showed signs of resilience themselves after conceding two deflating goals in quick succession. Substitute Nicky Adams was looking lively down the left hand side of midfield but after clever footwork to elude three Watford defenders, his cross was over-hit and bounced out for a goal kick.

A moment of contention sparked furious protests from the home support on 70 minutes when it appeared that Tom Cleverley had been upended in the penalty area by already booked Bruno Berner. However the referee, Craig Pawson deemed it to be on the edge of the box and the subsequent free kick was blazed over by Cleverley.

Mackay’s men could sense that a win was theirs for the taking and on 77 minutes yet another pinpoint cross from youngster Lee Hodson found the in-form Helguson who delivered the vital touch to send the Hornet’s into the lead for the first time. “God” was most definitely on Watford’s side. Jubilant Hornet’s followers could scarcely believe their eyes. It seemed four years is nothing in football as Helguson carried on where he left off back in 2005; delighting the home hoards.

The Icelander’s cameo role was about to come to an end just four minutes later however and a muscle pull ended his involvement. Exit stage right for the “Golden Boy” who’s heroics had left Watford on the brink of a famous victory and would add another game to their impressive unbeaten run in the league.

Time was ticking away and the shock win for Watford was looking ever more likely until in the 91^st minute, when substitute Dany N’Guessan salvaged a point for Nigel Pearson’s men with a powerful header past Scott Loach. Mackay admitted he would have taken a point at half time after his home side’s lacklustre display but will perhaps rue the fact the Hornet’s didn’t go on to register their third league win in a row.

Watford were not done yet and an onslaught on the Foxes’ goal created a nail-biting finish for both supporters in a frenetic affair. Watford substitute Nathan Ellington, on for the injured Heidar Helguson was encouraged to shoot by the home support but they may have rued that decision as his effort from the edge of the box sailed harmlessly over the bar. A certain Icelander might have created a different outcome from that opportunity but the low on confidence Ellington could not find the finishing touch.

The final whistle invited exhales from just under 15.000 supporters after a breathless affair. Both manager’s no doubt ruing a missed opportunity for three points but a draw was arguably the right result on a day of madness at Vicarage Road.

Malky Mackay hailed his young Watford side as they dug in for a gutsy 1-0 victory at Vicarage Road over bottom club Barnsley. This was the Hornet’s first victory at home since the arrival of Mackay following the departure of Brendan Rodgers back in July.

They were made to work hard by a Barnsley side yet to win in this Championship campaign, culminating in the dismissal of Simon Davey after just 5 games. On the evidence of this game, new boss Mark Robins, newly appointed from League 2 Rotherham, has a lot of work to do to secure safety for the Tykes. Robins will no doubt be pleased with the endeavour shown by his team in a lively affair but the lack of creativity was all too plain to see. England Under 21 goalkeeper Scott Loach, fresh from an outstanding display in their draw against Greece in midweek, was rarely tested until deep into the second half. In contrast, Barnsley ‘keeper David Preece was under bombardment at several intervals of the game and but for a valiant effort by Preece, the margin of victory could and perhaps should have been greater.

Watford started the game brighter with neat interplay carving Barnsley open on more than one occasion but the end finish was lacking. Tom Cleverley, on loan from Premiership champions Manchester United, shone throughout and had an early chance to grab the initiative for the Hornets but good defending from Darren Moore denied him. Barnsley’s response to Watford’s early pressure came after 20 minutes, but an over-hit cross was perhaps a tell-tale sign that it were to be a long afternoon for the Yorkshire side and so it proved. Watford centre back pairing of youth academy graduates, Adrian Mariappa and Dale Bennett were proving more than a match for lone striker Andy Gray and half way through the first half, Robins decided to revert to a 4-4-2 formation and hauled off O’Neil Thompson, replaced by Kayode Odejayi. This was still to have little bearing on the eventual outcome.

Barnsley’s only real chance of the first half came from a hotly disputed free kick on the edge of the Watford area. Ross Jenkyns appeared to take the ball with a slide tackle on Emil Hallfredsson but luckily for the Hornets, former Everton man Anderson Da Silva saw his free kick driven into the wall, only for him to have a second bite of the cherry when retrieving the ball and jinking back into the area but again his shot was blocked by a solid Watford defence. A let-off for Watford. At the other end, Watford were getting closer to breaking the deadlock but a wayward header from John Eustace skewed wide of the post.

Immediately after the halftime interval, Barnsley returned with renewed vigour and came close to grabbing an unlikely lead. A decent cross was delivered by right back Bobby Hassell from the right flank but substitute Odejayi’s header flashed over the bar. Barnsley were looking to utilise their obvious aerial presence and crosses from the touchline were becoming more frequent and only staunch defending from Watford was denying them.

Just when it looked like Barnsley’s early second half pressure would ultimately find reward, Watford produced a goal that was worthy of winning a scrappy 1-0 affair. Don Cowie’s free kick from the right, after a foul on on-loan teenager Henri Lansbury, was a perfect opportunity to create a goal threat. His perfectly weighted ball found the head of John Eustace at the back post, who nodded it down for Danny Graham to scramble home his fourth goal of the season from three yards. A typical poacher’s finish and on of the balance of overall play was marginally deserved. Graham, signed from League 1, Carlisle in the summer, has had an immediate impact at Vicarage Road this season and after excelling in pre-season, has turned his good form to competitive games. With the departure of key attacking presences such as Tommy Smith and Tamas Priskin leaving the club in recent weeks, Graham’s goals are likely to be vital to Watford’s mid table safety or potentially a play-off finish. One step at a time for the Hornets so early in the season perhaps.

The momentum had now shifted to Watford due to the goal and Graham had another good chance to make it five in six in the league but clean through after a slip from Rob Kozluk, his precise effort was palmed away by Preece and Cleverley’s effort follow-up was dealt with well. Tom Cleverley again went close with a low shot from the edge of the box but it whistled past the far post. The noise levels from the home following had been turned up a notch and the game was injected with a new impetus. Barnsley, no doubt happy to take a point back to Oakwell after such a disastrous start to the season, came back at Watford but Anderson Da Silva’s shot tamely after good initial build-up play.

The home support was getting restless as Barnsley came to life in the last five minutes and threatened to grab an equaliser. Watford were determined not to make life easy for themselves after playing neat and efficient football throughout. Two home penalty areas scrambles in quick succession were leaving the Hornet’s fans fraught with nerves and but for a goal-line clearance from Adrian Mariappa and alert keeping from Scott Loach, Barnsley would have escaped with a point or even perhaps more. Canadian Iain Hume, injured last season in a clash with Sheffield United centre-back Chris Morgan, was lively after coming on with little time remaining but his efforts were in vain.

Deep into added time, Watford substitute Nathan Ellington hit the woodwork after sauntering unopposed into the Barnsley area as time trickled away. That was to be the last action of a enthralling encounter between the two teams.

Watford boss Mackay heaped praise upon stand-in captain, Adrian Mariappa and overall was pleased with the display shown by a young and evolving side. “Aidy Mariappa was captain for a reason today. He’s been a real consistent leader of the team since pre-season and his attitude and his professionalism is great.” The experience of John Eustace in central midfield also seemed to provide a foil for youngster Lansbury who excelled throughout. Overall Mackay was happy to come away with the three points against a strong Barnsley side; “It’s a tough league to play in and Barnsley have experienced, big, physical players that they threw at us, but we stood up to that.”

Tykes’ boss Mark Robins was frank in his reflection of the game; “I can certainly understand why I was given the job a lot clearer now and things need to be sorted quickly. There is a crisis of confidence and that needs to change quickly.”

Next up for Watford is a long trip to the South-West to take on third bottom Plymouth on Tuesday. However they will be buoyed by today’s performance and go into the game looking for a fifth straight game unbeaten. Barnsley have another tricky away day at Pride Park against Derby County with a lot of work for Mark Robins to do before their next Championship clash.

Scott Loach has signed a contract extension keeping him at Watford until 2012.

The 20 year-old has established himself as the Golden Boys number one, as well as a regular part of Stuart Pearce’s U21 setup.

Delighted with his new three year deal Loach said:

“I’m over the moon, I didn’t expect to be signing a new contract this season,” Loach said.

“I was just hoping to get a chance this season and I’ve had much more than that since I came into the team.

“With the new management system we have in place we are going to go far and to be part of that makes me feel so wanted.”

The Estonian international has spent the past week on trial at Watford’s London Colney training ground and has done enough to get himself a contract for the end of the current season.

The defender, born in Tallinn, arrives from Russian side FC Khimki. He has had previous experience with clubs such as FC Torpedo Moscow, FC Flora Tallinn, Lelle SK and FC TVMK Tallinn

The 30 year-old will be linking up with his fellow countryman Mart Poom. Stepanov has 79 caps for Estonia, in which time he has scored once for his country. He was also voted Estonia’s Footballer of the Year in 2004, an award won by Poom six times before.

The player will provide cover for club captain Jay Demerit and Mike Williamson, after Leigh Bromby returned to Sheffield United earlier this season.

Rodgers commented on Stepanov earlier in the week and said: “He is an international and a very experienced player.

“We are having a look at him for a couple of days with a view to something between now and the end of the season to provide cover for our centre-halves.”

North End are currently battling for a place in the play-offs and Williamson has made the move in order to increase his chances of making it to the Premiership.

The central midfielder joined from Rotherham United over two years ago. Since then he has made 60 starts for the Golden Boys, scoring five goals in the process.

Williamson has found his chances limited this season due to the emerging talents of Jack Cork and Ross Jenkins. His last appearance for Watford came against Sheffield Wednesday a fort night to go.

Watford have announced the signing of Tottenham youngster Danny Rose on loan until the end of the season. In other transfer news Liam Henderson has rejoined the Hornets after his spell at Hartlepool United.

Rose is an attacking midfielder who can play out wide or through the middle.

The 18 year old joined Tottenham from Leeds United at the beginning of last season after completing his scholarship at Elland Road.

He has since featured regularly for the reserves and was called up to the first-team squad for Tottenham’s Premiership clash with Sunderland.

His progress at Tottenham earnt him an England Under-18 call up in April 2008.

Manager Brendan Rodgers was first made aware of the young star during his time with Leeds.

“He is highly thought of in this country and at the time I first looked at him he decided to stay at Leeds and then, later on, went to Tottenham,” said Rodgers.

“As a footballer he has got a big talent. He has been out injured for a little while but we have taken him for a look at him with a view to next season as well.

“He has good energy and real intelligence with the ball. Technically he’s a good player, but he has commitment and it is very important players have that.

“I want players you can trust and that are hard-working and he fits the bill.”

A player Rose will be meeting at Vicarage Road will be Liam Henderson after he rejoined the Golden Boys from Hartlepool.

The academy graduate joined ‘Pool in January and made eight league appearances plus a substitute appearance against West Ham United in the FA Cup.

Both sides had their chances however both were unable to beat the goalkeepers. Scott Loach was in particularly good form to keep out Ipswich whilst Watford insisted on doing things ‘the Arsenal way’ and passing the ball into the net.

Watford were provided with the first chance of the day as Jobi McAnuff’s cross was cleared to Jack Cork who saw his effort deflected wide for a corner. McAnuff then went close with a header himself.

Ipswich started to create chances of their own though and after Mike Williamson deflected a shot wide of the post, former Bolton star Ivan Campo went close with a free-kick.

Things remained very much end to end and Tamas Priskin won a corner before Ipswich failed to score from a cross that left the Watford defence in tatters.

Giovani Dos Santos became the first casualty of the game, however soon after Ipswich were presented with their best opportunity in the game so far.

Pablo Counago was sent through on goal; however Lloyd Doyley and Jay Demerit just about sorted the danger out between them.

Ipswich began to look more and more like a threat as Danny Haynes had a shot blocked and David Norris fired wide.

Watford however, had the best chance of the half when Tommy Smith robbed Campo of the ball deep inside the Ipswich half. He then took the ball on towards goal however Richard Wright was off his line extremely quick and Smith couldn’t find the finish.

Ipswich had the last chance of the first half and captain Demerit picked up an injury whilst helping to prevent the opening goal.

Demerit then appeared at the start of the second half but had to be replaced by Gavin Hoyte after just five minutes of the restart.

Watford had the first meaningful attack of the half when Smith and Cowie exchanged passes before releasing Priskin on the wing. His cross came to early though and nobody was able to get to it.

The end to end action continued and Loach had to be at his brilliant best to stop Counago.

Smith then had a couple of chances to break the deadlock. His first was an ultimatum between shooting and passing and ultimately he opted to pass when he should have gone for glory. The second saw an effort of Smith’s flash wide of the post.

Ipswich continued their search for a goal and the influential Haynes saw his shot go wide of the post before Norris also missed the target.

Don Cowie then came extremely close to finding a goal when his attempt just went over the crossbar.

Ipswich had players lining up to test Loach, however attempts from Jon Stead, Counago and Alan Quinn all failed to breach the Watford goal.

Brendan Rodgers threw on a few pairs of fresh legs in the hope of nicking a late winner however it wasn’t to be and both sides came out of the game with a solitary point.

The night started well for the Golden Boys as Tommy Smith converted from the spot early in the game. Cardiff pulled level minutes later however, with a goal from Jay Bothroyd.

In the end though, Cardiff prevailed after a debateable penalty which occurred after the stated amount of injury time. Kyle McNaughton was the man who kept his cool and sent the Bluebirds fans wild.

Despite Grzegorz Rasiak still being sidelined, Watford were able to call back two of their most experienced players in club captain Jay Demerit and Tommy Smith.

The game showed little sign of producing a goal early on until Jobi McAnuff produced a moment of magnificence.

McAnuff, who picked the ball up in the left-back position, made a majestic run all the way into the Cardiff penalty area before being brought down by Stephen McPhail.  Tommy Smith then showed no hesitation in placing the ball beyond Stuart Taylor

Cardiff then started to up the ante and Joe Ledley was the first to test Scott Loach. Moments later things were all level.

Chris Burke’s ball into the middle bounced around before finding Bothroyd who put the ball beyond Loach.

After dealing with a dangerous Tamas Priskin cross Cardiff continued the pressure and McCormack saw his volley go just wide.

McCormack nearly got another crack at goal before Don Cowie scuffed a free-kick wide of the post.

After a final free-kick from Cardiff the half-time whistle brought the half to a close.

McAnuff started the second half in the same fashion as he had the first, storming forward and winning a free-kick. It was to Cardiff’s advantage however as they broke forward quickly. Tony Capaldi eventually crossed the ball for McCormack put a free header wide of the post.

The next action of the game saw Bothroyd head wide of the goal.

As the game came to a close though chances started to become a bit more regular with both Cork and Jenkins both going close.

The game looked all but over until McCormack drew an unbelievable save from Loach. The resulting corner then saw the referee point to the spot as Jenkins was adjudged to have handled on the line. McCormack then finally got the goal he had been looking for all night.

Adrian Mariappa is believed to be on the radar of many Championship teams according to reports.

The Watford defender’s contract expires at the end of the season and with no deal currently being lined up for the 23 year old, various Championship sides are believed to be monitoring the situation.

Of course an added bonus for any team looking to take on Mariappa would be the fact that they could take him on a free transfer.

Mariappa has excelled in both the centre of defence and on the right hand side of defence this season. Manager Brendan Rodgers is believed to be keen on keeping the youngster; however if a deal is not agreed then it appears Mariappa will be playing his football elsewhere next season.

As Mariappa is yet to turn 24, any suitors would have to pay Watford compensation for his services, however this is unlikely to cause any problems.

Brian Law’s side went ahead through Marcus Tudgay, however shot themselves in the foot, letting Watford back into the game through an own goal. Jobi McAnuff then scored, what had seemed to be the winner, before Jeffers scored in the 96th minute of action to earn his side a point.

The Golden Boys were a much changed side from the one that had previously won their last five in six games, with the likes of Tommy Smith, Grzegorz Rasiak and club captain Jay Demerit all missing out through injury.

The first 45 minutes were a scrappy affair. Wednesday started the half the stronger though and found the break through twenty minutes in.

The goal was relatively simple and one Watford ‘keeper Scott Loach will want to forget.

It was Michael Gray’s corner which Loach allowed to slip though his hands, allowing Tudgay to poke the ball in to an empty net.

Sheffield Wednesday continued the pressure with Tommy Spurr going close, before Jeffers saw his shot blocked by an important interception.

Watford were having little joy as Wednesday continued to snuff out the passing game and get the ball forward quickly.

Tamas Priskin though, in the hot form that he’s been on lately, was alert and ready for any chance. It took just one momentary lapse in communication between Mark Beevers and ‘keeper Lee Grant for the Hungarian to nip in and smash the ball into the back of the net to bring Watford level.

The second half saw the introduction of Will Hoskins by the none too happy Brendan Rodgers, and a change of formation to a more conventional 4-4-2.

Gray however, continued his form from the first-half and saw his shot whistle wide of Loach’s post.

The former Sunderland man then had to be replaced after sustaining a shoulder injury. Almost as soon as he left the pitch though, Watford had taken the lead.

The brave Jon Harley had got forward and launched himself into a tackle. The ball ended up at the feet of Don Cowie.

The Scotsman then delivered a cross which Jobi McAnuff, who towered above everyone, headed home.

It looked like Watford might increase their lead when Priskin robbed a Wednesday centre-half. His ball though for McAnuff though, was smothered by Grant.

The game then carried on in the way it had been for most of the match, with little chances and a lot of fouls.

The final minutes of the game however, were like something out of a TV football drama.

First of all the home crowd were stunned when, what seemed to be a blatant red card for Wednesday captain Richard Wood, was only awarded with a yellow.

The resulting free-kick was then saved brilliantly by the impressive Grant.

Then, moments later, Grant somehow produced another fine save to deny Mike Williamson.

The fans were then stunned again as the strange announcement of six minutes of injury time was made.

Watford could not hold out for this period however, as Jon Harley tangled with Jermaine Johnson in the area which led to the linesman flagging for a penalty.

The experienced Jeffers stepped up and made no mistake as he smashed the spot kick past Loach to wrap up a bizarre afternoon at Vicarage Road.