Everton missed the chance to take a big step towards Premier League safety after being held to a 0-0 draw against relegated Watford at Vicarage Road. 

The Toffees recorded 15 shots, managing as many on target as Watford mustered altogether — five — with the Hornets failing to test Jordan Pickford once. 

The hosts stood firm despite the onslaught to keep a rare clean sheet and put a dent in the Merseysiders' survival hopes. 

Frank Lampard's men are just two points clear of the relegation zone, although they have a game in hand on 18th-placed Leeds.

Visiting captain Seamus Coleman believes his side had enough chances to claim all three points.

The Irish defender, 33, said: "I felt like the game was there for the taking but they also had some chances on the break. We know you can't just turn up and get three points. We're still fighting and if you can't win it just make sure you don't lose it. 

"We know the stage we're at and we know what is needed. We understand the situation. We just have to keep pushing. We have two home games now. We have to keep pushing until the end.

"The [fans] have realised the situation we're in. Nobody wants to believe it, but they have really got behind their team and their football club. We have to keep working hard."

Hornets boss Roy Hodgson was surprised by the performance of his much-changed side.

The 74-year-old manager, who will be replaced by Rob Edwards in the Vicarage Road dugout next season, said: "I think it was a sterling effort from the players. The players have been doing the work with us and there was an enormous honesty about our performance today. 

"They played with an integrity and honesty that was really encouraging. Your confidence can never be high after being relegated. 

"I was expecting a far worse performance than the one I saw tonight and I can only congratulate the players for their performance against a side with a lot still to play for. 

"It is an evening that many of these boys can be really proud of and maybe tomorrow they'll be asking why I have not selected them more often. 

"The crowd tonight was quite incredible. There were a few empty seats but they were behind the team and that is good news for the future."

Did you know?

Watford have lost just one of their last six home games against Everton (three wins, two draws), with that defeat coming in February 2020.

The Hornets picked up their first point at Vicarage Road since a 4-1 victory against Manchester United in November, ending a run of 11 successive home defeats.

The Toffees have lost just one of their last six games (three wins, two draws), picking up as many points in these six matches (11) as in their previous 22.

The hosts kept their first home top-flight clean sheet since beating Liverpool 3-0 in February 2020, having conceded in 22 consecutive league matches at Vicarage Road.

The away side have failed to score in 12 league games this season, their highest total since 2014-15, while only Norwich (21) have failed to score in more top-flight games this term than Hodgson's men (18).