A dream debut and more to come from Watson

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Neil Moxley

2025-10-27T06:00+01:00

Tommy Watson spearheaded Albion's second-half comeback at Old Trafford.

It’s billed as the Theatre of Dreams and for Tommy Watson, it certainly was.

What a stage for Albion’s teenager to make his Premier League debut - and while Saturday’s 4-2 scoreline may have disappointed, the England U21 international certainly didn’t.

Introduced from the bench just after the hour, the summer signing from Sunderland played a key role in a fightback that raised spirits to fever pitch among the Albion contingent.

Within 60 seconds of head coach Fabian Hurzeler making a triple change, Albion had fallen three goals behind to Manchester United.

But this didn’t faze Watson who sparked a fightback with a delightful through ball for Yankuba Minteh. The forward was clipped by Leny Yoro just outside the area and from the resulting free-kick Danny Welbeck kickstarted the comeback with his fifth goal in four games.

Watson also tested Manchester United keeper Senne Lammens with a shot from outside the area as Albion pushed the hosts to the wire.

The 19-year-old almost took his bow last week late on during the 2-1 victory over Newcastle United, but had to wait seven days instead.

He said: “I was definitely disappointed last week but, when you have time to reflect, the manager brought on Copps (Diego Coppola) and he’s probably the man you want to see out the result.

“When I arrived at the ground on Saturday I thought: ‘Yeah, it’s definitely the place I want to make my debut. But it’s weird because I didn’t really think about it and then I got out there and I was totally tunnel-visioned.

“It’s where I want to be, playing with the lads in the Premier League. And there’s no better place to make your debut.”

The new boy did himself a power of good with a snapshot of what’s to come as Welbeck’s opener was followed by a first goal for Babis Kostoulas as the Albion sensed a glorious recovery.

Watson added: “I thought at one point we were going to get something out of the game. For me, coming off the wing, I was asked to be direct and I think I did that. I think the substitutes added an intensity that they didn’t like.

“We did everything the manager asked us to get back to 3-2 and then that next goal is massive, isn't it? They ended up getting it. So I think it was a bit of sloppiness from us.

“We switched off to concede the two goals in the second half. We really should have got something out of the game. I thought we proved our fitness and we were unfortunate.”

Watson swapped Wearside for the south coast when he agreed to join the Seagulls shortly after Sunderland were promoted.

Despite the Black Cats’ flying start to the campaign, he believes he has long-term prospects to develop at the Amex.

He added: “I think this system is more suited to my game and the environment is set up for me to go and kick on and to prove myself.

“I love the intensity of pressing high up the pitch and then, when you get the ball, seeing what you can do. Hopefully now it’s going to be a period where I can get some minutes into my legs.

“I’m someone who really wants to be playing and, when I went away with England U21s last summer at the Euros, I didn’t get a lot of minutes into my legs.

“I missed a lot of pre-season with a little injury, that knocked me back a bit. But I think you see the intensity this coach wants to play with and I think it suits my game.

“I’ve needed time to adapt to that and obviously build up my connections with other players and the system but I think I’m just about there now.”