Once again, poor heading lets down Newcastle after they're able to get themselves into a good position inside the Watford penalty area. This time it's Riviere who's the guilty player, as he does well to latch onto the end of a swinging cross from Janmaat but can only send his effort nearer to the corner flag than the goal.
90' +3
N. Amrabat enters the game and replaces T. Deeney.
Amrabat receives a loud round of applause from the home fans as he replaces Deeney to make his first appearance for Watford.
90' +2
Mitrovic goes close! Newcastle are throwing everything they've got at the Watford defence, who are just about managing to hold on to their slender lead. The visitors earn themselves yet another corner on the right wing, which this time is sent towards the far post, but the Serbian striker's bullet header ends up bouncing just past the woodwork after he did well to beat his marker.
90'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be four minutes of added time.
89'
A. Nyom enters the game and replaces J. Paredes.
Meanwhile, Watford have made a more defensive-minded substitution, with Paredes making way for Nyom.
88'
E. Rivière enters the game and replaces F. Coloccini.
Newcastle have made a late change, and, unsurprisingly, it's an attacking one, with Riviere coming on to replace Coloccini.
87'
What a chance for Capoue to wrap up the win! The Frenchman charges down the left wing on a marauding run that seems to last for an eternity, beating several Newcastle players before breaking into the penalty area. He finally skips past Janmaat before unleashing a rocket of a shot from close range, but he sends up flying over the top of the crossbar. Abdi, Ighalo and Deeney were all in excellent positions in front of goal, and they really should have been picked out by the former Tottenham man.
85'
A dangerous cross from Janmaat almost finds the head of Sissoko, but Britos is just about able to send it out for another corner on the right flank. Shelvey sends in a similar delivery to the one that resulted in Newcastle's goal, but this time the Watford defence are just about able to deal with it before sending the ball out for a throw-in on the opposite wing.
83'
Watford work the ball around well on the edge of the penalty area before Deeney cuts onto his right foot and unleashes a thumping shot, but it's overhit and fails to find its intended target. Abdi had a made a good run down the right and, in hindsight, the striker really should have tried to pick out the Swiss midfielder instead.
81'
Newcastle earn themselves a corner on the left wing, which is curled into a dangerous position inside the penalty area. It's only half dealt with by Gomes, who punches the ball up into the air and kicks off an almighty battle. It bounces around the box with a plethora of players trying to get a shot away, but none are able to do so before Cathcart sends a looping header back into the hands of the Brazilian goalkeeper.
Minute
Description
79'
With little over 10 minutes left to play, Watford now seem to be concentrating solely on holding onto their slender lead. They are now set up in a 4-5-1 formation, and the amount of players that they have camped in the middle of the pitch is making it incredibly difficult for Newcastle to break away quickly every time they try to push forward.
77'
A. Abdi enters the game and replaces José Jurado.
Great save by Elliot! Ighalo charges into the left-hand side of the Newcastle penalty area and goes one-on-one with Lascelles, who is unable to dispossess the Nigerian. The striker beats the youngster with ease before unleashing a thumping low strike from a tight angle, but the visitors' goalkeeper does well to stick out a foot to send the shot looping over the top of the crossbar and out for a corner.
76'
Jurado makes his way off the pitch to be replaced by Abdi for the final 14 minutes of the game.
75'
Perez flies into the right-hand side of the penalty area after being set up by a well-placed through-ball from Wijnaldum, but his first-time strike is completely mishit and ends up flying well over the top of the crossbar. Watford are starting to push further forward in an attempt to find a third goal that would surely kill off the game, but as a result they are leaving themselves far too open at the back.
73'
Newcastle have looked far better since the introduction of Perez, who is constantly linking up well with Mitrovic inside the Watford half of the pitch. After spending so long on the front foot it is now the hosts who are having to defend in numbers, meaning that it's going to be a nervy final quarter-of-an-hour.
71'
J. Lascelles has scored a goal for Newcastle United! Assist by J. Shelvey.
That was a wonderful cross from Shelvey, who has largely disappointed this afternoon but picked out Lascelles with precision.
GOAL! Newcastle are back in the game! Sissoko wins the visitors a corner on the right flank, which is curled towards the penalty spot. The young left-back is left completely unmarked by the Watford defenders, allowing him to fly up into the air before sending an excellent header bouncing past Gomes and into the right-hand corner of the net. Game on!
69'
Mbemba goes close! The resulting free-kick is flung into the middle of the Watford penalty area, where it finds the defender, who rises high and does well to meet the ball. He then flicks a strong header over towards the far post, but it ends up bouncing just a yard or two wide of its intended target.
68'
M. Britos gets yellow.
Mitrovic spins round Britos near the halfway line before being dragged to the ground by the centre-back, who is shown a yellow card as a result.
67'
And now Ighalo fails to take advantage of a good chance! Jurado breaks down the right wing before swinging a dangerous cross into the middle of the box, where it finds the aforementioned striker, but his jump towards the ball is mistimed and, as a result, his effort on goal ends up flying away from danger and back out to the right flank, where it can only bounce into the feet of a white shirt.
66'
A lofted pass forward finds Deeney on the edge of the Newcastle penalty area, and he brings the ball down well before quickly teeing up Capoue. The Frenchman is in a great position 20 yards out and looks set to shoot, but his first touch is far too heavy and sends the ball bouncing into the hands of Elliot.
64'
And now Perez goes close! Sissoko bursts down the right wing before curling a peach of a cross into the heart of the Watford penalty area. It finds the aforementioned Spaniard, who easily beats Cathcart in the air, but he messes up his header completely and ends up sending his effort well wide of the goal.
63'
Good defending by Coloccini! Once again, Ighalo tries to fly through the Newcastle back line with a quick dart forward, but this time the Argentine defender is able to stick out a foot and stop him from doing so. If he didn't make that interception then the Nigerian surely would have had the chance to go one-on-one with Elliot.
61'
What a chance for Gouffran! The Frenchman is immediately presented with a wonderful opportunity to pull a goal back for Newcastle thanks to a great cross from Perez, but his headed effort is far too half-hearted and, as a result, ends up flying well wide of the Watford goal. He really should have done better with that!
59'
Ayoze Pérez enters the game and replaces H. Saivet.
Y. Gouffran enters the game and replaces R. Aarons.
Newcastle have decided to make a double substitution. The first player to come on is Gouffran, who replaces Aarons.
And the second is Perez, who takes the place of Saivet.
58'
C. Cathcart has scored a goal for Watford! Assist by O. Ighalo.
GOAL! Watford have doubled their lead! The hosts win themselves a free-kick on the left wing, which is flung into the middle of the Newcastle penalty area. Elliot fails to fully deal with the danger, resulting in an almighty scrap inside the box. Ighalo, with his back to goal, is just about able to poke the ball back to Cathcart, who unleashes an almighty strike that flies past the sea of players in front of him and into the back of the net to make it 2-0.
Once again, Ighalo played a vital role in the Watford goal. After a few tough games the Nigerian is looking far better today, and he looks incredibly determined to make up for lost time.
56'
V. Behrami gets yellow.
Behrami goes down inside the Newcastle penalty area, but he's booked for diving! The Swiss midfielder breaks into the left-hand side of the box and immediately goes down whilst battling with Coloccini, but it's a poor dive that leaves the referee with no option but to show the Watford player a yellow card.
55'
Ighalo charges down the left wing on a great run before going one-on-one with Coloccini, but the defender does well to stand tall and out-muscles the goalscorer before denying Deeney the chance to latch onto the loose ball. That was good defending by the Argentine, who has had a slightly mixed game thus far.
53'
Lovely play by Capoue! The Frenchman twists and turns just outside of the Newcastle penalty area before playing a wonderful one-two with Deeney. He tries to break towards the six-yard box but has his run halted by Coloccini, who then forces the aforementioned Watford striker into sending his attempted cross a few yards over the head of Ighalo.
51'
C. Mbemba gets yellow.
Deeney picks up the ball near the halfway line and immediately has his heel caught by Mbemba, resulting in the defender earning the first yellow card of the afternoon.
50'
Ighalo looks to be playing with far more confidence after getting on the scoresheet, and once again he gets forward well and puts the Newcastle defence under plenty of pressure. He charges down the right wing before cutting a smart pass back to Deeney, who immediately unleashes a thumping strike that ends up bouncing just wide of the near post.
48'
Great play by Mitrovic! Newcastle quickly push forward from the restart, with the aforementioned Serbian doing well to penetrate the left-hand side of the Watford penalty area. He spins quickly before sending a bouncing cross-cum-shot towards the far post, but there's nobody there to meet it and it ends up rolling just wide of the goal.
46'
O. Ighalo has scored a goal for Watford! Assist by T. Deeney.
And we're underway once again!
That was a great pick out by Deeney, who spotted the forward run of Ighalo before picking out his strike partner with a perfect pass.
GOAL! Watford have taken the lead! The Newcastle back line completely fall asleep, allowing Deeney to chip a lovely pass through the visitors' defence and into the path of Ighalo. The Nigerian latches onto the ball and flies into the penalty area before rounding Elliot, allowing him to easily tap the ball into the back of the net to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
45' +1
Newcastle, who have spent the vast majority of the first half on the back foot, break away quickly through Janmaat, who does well to charge past Ake as the two battle for the ball. He then sends a low cross over towards Mitrovic at the far post, but it bounces through a sea of players inside the box and ends up missing the Serbian striker by two or three yards.
45'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be just one minute of added time.
44'
Paredes breaks forward on a strong run down the right wing before he sends a bouncing pass into the feet of Ighalo. With his back to goal, the striker tries to spin round Coloccini, but the defender stands tall and easily dispossesses the striker before Newcastle kick-start a counter-attack.
42'
Sissoko is caught sleeping on the ball, allowing Behrami to cut inside on a quick run from the left wing. He heads towards the edge of the Newcastle penalty area before going down under a block from Shelvey, but he seemed to be looking for a free kick and, as a result, he doesn't get one.
40'
Jurado, who has arguably been Watford's best player thus far, gets forward well down the left flank before sending a well-placed through-ball into the path of Capoue. The Frenchman tries to hold up the ball near the byline but is easily dispossessed by Lascelles, who is easily able to pick the pocket of the midfielder.
38'
Great play by Shelvey! The midfielder brings the ball down on the edge of the Watford box before breaking into the left-hand side of the penalty area. He muscles his way to the byline before firing a fantastic low cross towards goal, but there's nobody there to meet it and it misses everyone before Janmaat's follow-up cross from the right flank is defended excellently by Ake.
36'
Risky defending by Lascelles! A risky back-pass from Janmaat doesn't have enough power behind it and fails to find Elliot, allowing Ighalo to break through on goal as he chances down the ball. He tries to beat the aforementioned youngster but is muscled away, resulting in Watford screaming for a free kick. The referee doesn't agree, however, and once again he waves play on.
34'
Chance for Jurado! The Spaniard lifts a curling cross over to Deeney, who is left in acres of space on the right-hand side of the Newcastle penalty area. He brings it down well but takes far too long on the ball and misses his opportunity to shot, forcing him into teeing up the aforementioned winger. He then decides to strike after skipping through a sea of white shirts, but his effort on goal is overhit and clears the top of the crossbar by quite some distance.
32'
A misplaced pass from Shelvey can only find Capoue, and once again Watford are able to throw plenty of bodies forward as they look to put Newcastle under an increasing amount of pressure. They work the ball over to Britos, who then tries to take Janmaat by surprise with a lofted pass towards Ake, but the Newcastle right-back comes out on top and does well to deal with the danger.
30'
Capoue and Lascelles battle for the ball near the byline on the right wing, and it's the Watford midfielder who comes out on top. He quickly spins before teeing up Paredes, who is waiting patiently in a great position, but the right-back takes too long on the ball and is unable to get a cross away before he's dispossessed.
28'
It's been a very quiet few minutes for Newcastle, who since Mitrovic's chance - arguably the best of the game thus far - have found it difficult to see much of the ball. The pressing that characterised the early exchanges has now disappeared, making it very easy for Watford to keep hold of possession inside the visitors' half of the pitch.
26'
Watson and Jurado play a lovely series of passes between themselves in the middle of the pitch before the latter works the ball out to Paredes on the right wing. The Ecuadorian then bursts into a great run and heads straight to the edge of the penalty area before going down under a tackle from Mbemba, but once again the referee ignores the pleas from the Watford players and allows play to continue.
24'
Excellent save by Gomes! Sissoko charges down the right wing before cutting the ball back to Wijnaldum on the edge of the Watford penalty area. The Dutchman quickly tees up Mitrovic, who latches onto the ball before unleashing a thumping low shot, but the Brazilian goalkeeper does well to stick a foot out to send the shot looping over the top of the crossbar.
23'
Watford remain on the front foot and come back once again on another bright attacking move. This time it's Paredes who finds himself in a good position far up the pitch, but he brings a promising attack to a disappointing end with a poor long-range strike that clears the top of the crossbar by quite some distance.
22'
A chipped pass into the right-hand side of the Newcastle box finds Capoue, who brings it down on his chest before quickly going down under a challenge from Aarons. The Frenchman throws his hands in the air and screams for a penalty but once again the referee shakes his head and waves play on, much to the frustration of the home fans.
20'
Ighalo does well to beat Saivet in the middle of the pitch before sending the ball out to Ake on the left wing. The youngster controls it well before playing a quick one-two with Deeney just outside of the Newcastle penalty area, but Lascelles does well to get back and dispossess the left-back before he can get a cross away.
18'
Excellent goalkeeping by Elliot! A mistake from Lascelles allows Ighalo to fly down the left wing and into the Newcastle penalty area. The striker holds up the ball well before cutting it back to Deeney, who then unleashes a curled strike from the edge of the box. The goalkeeper pulls off a great diving save to deny the Englishman before he parries away Capoue's follow-up with an even better stop.
16'
Chance for Deeney! Watford work the ball around wonderfully well on the edge of the Newcastle penalty area before the striker cuts out to the left and unleashes a low shot, but Janmaat throws his body in front of the strike and stops it from testing Elliot.
14'
After having suffering a tough start to the game, it is now Watford who are on the front foot. However, a terrible pass from Capoue sends the ball straight into the feet of Sissoko, who immediately breaks forward on a quick counter-attack. He charges through a sea of yellow shirts before teeing up Wijnaldum, who is in a great position on the left wing, but the Dutchman's attempted cross is mishit and fails to cause problems for the hosts' disjointed back line.
12'
Behrami is tripped over by Saivet as the two battle for the ball deep down the left wing, resulting in a free kick for Watford in a dangerous position. Watson sends an excellent cross over to the far post, where it almost finds Ake, but the youngster goes down under a challenge and immediately screams for a penalty. The referee isn't at all convinced, however, and immediately tells the left-back to get back to his feet.
11'
Newcastle quickly regain possession and come back once again as they look to take advantage of the bodies they still have camped inside the Watford penalty area. The ball finds its way over to Coloccini, who had drifted out to the left, but his attempted cross is poor and ends up sailing harmlessly out of play for a goal kick.
10'
Once again, Janmaat and Sissoko link up well on the right wing, where Newcastle have been finding joy in the opening period of the game. Shelvey's curled cross from a corner won by the aforementioned Dutchman ends up finding the head of Coloccini, but the defender can't get enough power on the ball to send it near to the Watford goal.
9'
Watford patiently make their way down the right flank, with Ighalo playing a particularly important role in the attacking move. They win themselves a throw-in near the corner flag but are quickly put under pressure by the Newcastle defence, forcing the hosts into playing the ball back towards the halfway line.
7'
Janmaat picks up the ball on the right flank and immediately sends a lofted pass over to the opposite wing, where it finds Aarons in acres of space. The youngster brings it down well and quickly tries to take on Paredes, but the right-back stands tall and out-muscles the winger before Capoue clears the danger.
5'
Deeney battles hard with Mbemba and charges his way towards the byline before winning Watford a corner on the right wing. It's curled into the middle of the box in an attempt to find Cathcart, but it's easily cut out by Mitrovic before it can reach the Northern Irish centre-back.
3'
Early chance for Newcastle! Janmaat and Sissoko link up well on the right flank before the latter charges towards the byline and cuts a smart pass back to Wijnaldum. The Dutchman's first-time strike is deflected away to the edge of the Watford penalty area, where it finds Aarons, but the youngster's thumping shot ends up sailing a few yards wide of the far post. It's been a good start to the game by the visitors.
1'
And we're off!
Good afternoon and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s Premier League game between Watford and Newcastle United at Vicarage Road.
After enjoying a wonderful start to the season that took everybody by surprise, it’s been a tough month for Watford, who head into today’s clash without a league win since Christmas nor a point in any of their last four domestic games. Monday evening’s disappointing defeat against struggling Swansea City would have been particularly hard to swallow, and to make matters worse it was the second time in as many games that the Hornets were unable to find the back of the net. Star striker Odion Ighalo, usually so prolific in the final third of the pitch, now hasn’t scored since December 28th, which has had a big and unwelcome impact on his side. With tough encounters against Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur to contend with in just two weeks’ time, today’s hosts will be desperate to pick up three big points as they aim to stop their slide down the table.
After going three games unbeaten in the middle of December - a run that saw them pick up impressive victories against both Liverpool and Tottenham - just one win from their following six games means that Newcastle also now find themselves in a difficult situation at the wrong end of the table. Swansea’s win against Watford means that the Magpies currently sit inside the relegation zone, but they will no doubt be quietly confident about their chances of winning today. A hard-fought 3-3 draw against Manchester United was followed by last weekend’s big win at home to West Ham United, and with the Hornets in such poor form, Steve McClaren’s side will feel as if a victory this afternoon is theirs for the taking.
Recent history favours Watford, who have won the last two meetings between the teams. Just two weeks ago they met on this very ground in the third round of the FA Cup, resulting in a 1-0 victory for the Hornets, whilst earlier in the season a first-half Ighalo double guided his side to a 2-1 win at St. James’ Park. However, much has changed since August, meaning that anything could happen over the course of the next 90 minutes.
There’s just over 15 minutes left to go until until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up this afternoon…
Newcastle United substitutes: Darlow, Taylor, Marteaux, Gouffran, Riviere, Thauvin, Perez.
Newcastle United XI (4-2-3-1): Elliot; Janmaat, Mbemba, Coloccini, Lascelles; Saivet, Shelvey; Sissoko, Wijnaldum, Aarons; Mitrovic.
Quique Sanchez Flores has decided to make just one change to the Watford side that started the aforementioned defeat away to Swansea, with Allan Nyom making way for Juan Paredes at right-back.
Meanwhile, Newcastle boss Steve McClaren has made three alterations to the side that featured in the win against West Ham last weekend, with the main talking point being the inclusion of Jamal Lascelles, Henri Saivet and Rolando Aarons, all of whom are set to make their first starts of the season. Meanwhile, there’s a place on the substitutes’ bench for the forgotten figure of Sylvain Marveaux, who hasn’t featured in the Premier League since March 2014.
The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off.
After starting well, Newcastle largely had to defend in the first half as Watford saw the vast majority of the ball. However, the hosts have continually failed to make their dominance of possession count, as time and time again they got themselves in good positions only to let themselves down with indecision and poor passes. Paredes and Ake have done well to get forward but have disappointed with their final balls, meaning that Ighalo and Deeney have been spectators thus far. The Hornets will need to increase the intensity if they are to beat a stubborn Newcastle defence.
The two teams are making their way back out onto the pitch ahead of the start of the second half. Neither side have made any substitutions during the half-time break.
FULL-TIME: WATFORD 2-1 NEWCASTLE UNITED
The referee blows his whistle for the final time and the home fans erupt into a chorus of cheers! It's been a difficult few weeks for Watford, who are just about able to hold onto their slender lead to pick up their first league win since December 20th. It's fully deserved as well, as they made Newcastle pay for some sloppy defending at the start of the second half before sitting back and defending resolutely to keep the visitors' determined front line at bay. Quique Sanchez Flores looks mightily relieved, and it's no wonder why!
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