Watford's Andre Gray reveals pain of aunt's death fuelled emotional celebration

Joy and sorrow: Gray roars after netting Watford’s late winner
Action Images via Reuters

Andre Gray has revealed his emotional celebration after scoring Watford’s winning goal against Leicester was fuelled by the death of his aunt two weeks ago.

Gray came off the bench to score the winner in the 92nd minute, ripping off his shirt and embracing all his team-mates — including those on the bench.

Before that it looked as though the Hornets were going to have to settle for a point when Jamie Vardy’s 75th minute strike had cancelled out Troy Deeney’s fifth-minute opener.

But Gray sparked celebrations at Vicarage Road and explained the emotion he showed after was born out of the death of his aunt, Sarah, just a fortnight ago.

“It was a massive mix of emotions. I have had a tough couple of weeks, I lost my aunty,” the striker told Standard Sport. “It was about two weeks ago now, so it has been difficult. It was unexpected and tough. There are many different emotions in that win.

“She always used to come to the home games. Most of the time I wouldn’t even know, she would just get the tickets directly from the liaison. It was important to score in a home game and do that for her.

“It was an important goal for many reasons. For the club, this game was a six-pointer to keep fighting for that seventh spot and give ourselves a gap against Leicester.

“I thought we were in control of the game really. They had a lot of the ball in the second half, but I don’t feel like they were threatening us. We know we have got two really tough away games in the League next, so it was important to get the win.”

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