TROY STORY

TROY DEENEY came up with the answer to social media’s keyboard warriors by firing Watford to the brink of safety.

Deeney’s pair of second-half penalties – both blasted down the middle – sealed a priceless win at Vicarage Road.

And the Hornets’ official club Twitter page summed it up perfectly with a single word: cojones.

Deeney famously accused Arsenal of lacking bottle three years ago, but there was nothing wrong with the old warrior’s nerve from the spot when Watford needed it most.

He limped away from a triumph of willpower over finesse with an ice pack on his right knee – but he knows Watford are almost there.

Deeney has featured in seven of Watford’s eight Premier League wins this season and has contributed eight goals to a struggling side – having missed three months through injury. Take that, keyboard warriors.

In his captain’s programme notes, Deeney had sarcastically acknowledged the critics – mainly the expertise on social media – who had blamed him for Watford’s horrible campaign.

“I wasn’t good enough at the start of the season,” said Deeney. “Then, when I was injured, the team needed me back.

“Then, when I was back and we’d stopped winning, it was my fault.”

But when manager Nigel Pearson needed his Captain Fantastic to light the way to safety, Deeney stepped up. In truth, Watford were outplayed for 45 minutes.

Newcastle were good value for Dwight Gayle’s third goal in six games at the break, and instead of grasping their chance to take a big step towards safety, Pearson’s men were all over the shop.

Ben Foster had already beaten out Miguel Almiron’s fierce effort from close range when Federico Fernandez flicked on Matt Ritchie’s corner and Gayle bundled in the Toon’s 2,000th goal away from home in the top flight.

The Hornets were indebted to another sprawling save by Foster, as Allan Saint-Maximin surged clear, to keep Watford in the game.

But they dominated the second half, and seven minutes after the break Deeney went for power from the spot after Kiko Femenia had been fouled by Ritchie. He squandered a huge chance to put Watford ahead.

But nine minutes from time Javier Manquillo brought down Ismaila Sarr in the box, Deeney did the honours again – and it may be enough.

They were seven points adrift when Pearson was appointed in December.

And with Bournemouth and Aston Villa running out of time, and out of luck, it would be a brave man to bet against Pearson finishing off the job.