MARIAPPA GOES MISSING IN ACTION

SKIPPER Adrian Mariappa blamed himself for Watford’s defeat at Newcastle, ruing first-half misses that could have paved the way for the Hornets’ sixth straight win over Toon.

A goalbound header struck a defender and then, after Will Hughes’ effort was kept out, Mariappa (right) stabbed wide from close range. “I blame myself,” he said. “I had a couple of chances and I’m kicking myself I didn’t put one of them away.”

Watford finished empty-handed, but Mariapa added: “There was a lot to like about our performance. We’ll learn lessons from this.”