Saido Berahino could not hide his disappointment after missing the chance to secure a first win of the season for West Brom.
The Baggies had to settle for a point from a goalless draw at newly-promoted Watford after striker Berahino, who is continually being linked with a move to Tottenham this month, headed wide with the goal at his mercy.
With 10 minutes remaining Chris Brunt crossed into the area, Gareth McAuley headed back across goal but Berahino, at the far post, failed to hit the target.
"You could see his disappointment afterwards, the boy was disappointed so that shows he thought he should have scored," said manager Tony Pulis.
Up until then Watford had been by far the more enterprising team, although for all their style there was very little substance as time and again, following some neat build-up play, the final ball or finish was lacking.
Albion keeper Boaz Myhill was tested from long-range by Troy Deeney and new right-back Allan Nyom, who went on a lung-busting run from his own penalty area following an Albion corner.
Deeney also headed a decent chance wide and Jose Manuel Jurado was off target with an acrobatic volley from Etienne Capoue's centre, before Odion Ighalo was denied from close range by a combination of Myhill and Gareth McAuley .
Watford's display was probably best summed up by Jurado, who left two West Brom defenders for dead with some superb footwork, only to then curl his shot high into the stands
"Watford didn't surprise me, but they surprised the players I think," added Pulis. "In the first half we were definitely on back foot, they moved the ball quickly and caused us problems, although without creating too many clear-cut chances. They were certainly the better team in the first half.
"At half-time I told the players they had to push up the pitch, and in the end we probably missed the best chance of the game.
"It looked as though, if a team was going to score at the end, it was going to be us. But that's not to take anything away from Watford, I thought they were very good."
The Hornets were applauded off by a near capacity crowd at the end of their first Premier League match at home in eight years.
Boss Quique Sanchez Flores said: "It was like a party for me for sure. The fans were happy because we tried to win the game. We are working hard for them.
"I'm not frustrated, I'm happy with the performance of my team. We had control and tried to create spaces inside.
"It's difficult to play against West Brom because they defend deep, but we have personality, we played well and we tried our best.
"What's important is to be stable, like a team. We have balance, we had control of the situation and we had chances to win."
Source: PA
