Not a typical Benitez display as tactics and defence ripped apart
Newcastle 0 Watford 3
NEWCASTLE United were humbled at home by Watford as the Magpies’ losing streak extended into a fourth match following this 3-0 reversal at St James’ Park.
Here, after a harrowing afternoon on Tyneside for Newcastle supporters, NUFC Writer Chris Waugh takes us through what we learned.
If you defend like Newcastle did down the right during the first half, you will not win games at any level, never mind in the Premier League.
For the opening goal, Watford leftwing-back Marvin Zeegelaar received the ball out wide, and had an age to control the ball, then calmly place a low cross towards the penalty spot for Hughes to flick a left-footed shot home.
Unbelievably, less than two minutes later, again Zeegelaar was unmarked on the left, with neither Yedlin nor Matt Ritchie picking him up.
The Dutchman this time curled a high ball into the area, which Abdoulaye Doucoure somehow managed to place wide from just six yards out with the goal gaping.
But still Newcastle did not learn their lesson. During first-half injurytime, again Zeegelaar was allowed to attack down the left.
He then placed a low ball across the face of goal, which Yedlin flicked past Rob Elliot and into his own net.
It is simply inexplicable how poor Newcastle’s first-half defending was.
Caught out in exactly the same way one three occasions? That is not what happens to Benitez sides.
But between them, Yedlin and Ritchie simply did not marshal the right-hand side well enough. By the 75th minute, the pair still appeared confused as to who was supposed to be picking Zeegelaar up.
There have always been doubts about Yedlin defensively, no matter how dangerous his pace makes him on the break.
Watford ruthlessly exposed his weakness and you fear other sides could do the same, unless he improves dramatically.
The third goal also came down United’s right, albeit from a slightly different situation – and it is a glaring vulnerability Newcastle now have.
The confirmation by Benitez on Friday that Mikel Merino was fit to return to the squad following a lower-back injury understandably had fans excited that the midfielder would be thrust straight back into the starting line-up.
There were some moans and groans on social media then when, once the team was announced at 2pm, it was Mo Diame who was deputising for the suspended Isaac Hayden.
Merino was only deemed fit enough for a spot on the bench, with Benitez instead giving Diame only his second Premier League start of the season.
One area which Benitez has identified Newcastle are lacking in recent weeks is physicality and presence in the middle; against an athletic Hornets side, clearly the United manager felt Diame could best combat that.
In the end, none of that came to fruition. United had no control of the midfield whatsoever, and Diame appeared almost like a passenger at times.
He was subbed before the 70-minute mark, to some applause, but he is still yet to impress in black and white.
There were very few positives to take out of this defeat. About 95 per cent of what Newcastle did was awful.
But, if there was one player who came out of this with their reputation enhanced, it was Jacob Murphy.
He picked up where he left off last weekend, where he showed flashes of his talent against Manchester United.
He still has a lot of room for improve- ment. His decision-making and final ball remain questionable, while tactically and defensively he is suspect.
But as an attacking outlet, he was the one bright spark. Repeatedly he attacked down the left flank, as well as cutting inside and creating havoc with some mazy runs. He played Joselu in on goal, only for the Spaniard to shoot weakly at Heurelho Gomes.
There was some raised eyebrows when Murphy was selected ahead of Rolando Aarons at Old Trafford, but he justified his inclusion there – and he backed that up yesterday.
Hopefully he can continue this form and keep improving too. We hadn’t seen a dramatic shift from