Deeney double gives Watford breathing space
TROY DEENEY passed his own test of nerve in an eerie silence to convert two second-half penalties and lead Watford a step closer to completing their great escape.
Deeney was the man who popularised the word ‘cojones’ in English football’s lexicon when he controversially accused Arsenal of lacking them.
Here, the Watford captain proved to be a man who knows his subject matter and a player who thrives on pressure and responsibility as he scored his first goals since February and inspired the comeback against Newcastle after his team trailed to a goal by Dwight Gayle.
The visitors disputed both penalties, awarded by referee Craig Pawson for innocuous fouls on Kiko Femenia and Ismaila Sarr.
Newcastle boss Steve Bruce grumbled and branded them ‘remarkably soft’ and he had a point. But Deeney maintained his focus and never looked likely to miss either, striking them both with ferocious power past goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.
‘I don’t think we were in any doubt that he was taking them both,’ said head coach Nigel Pearson. ‘Troy is prepared to take the responsibility, he is prepared to absorb some pressure and that in itself takes courage.’
Deeney’s double from 12 yards could prove to be worth millions for his club as they eased six points clear of the relegation zone that includes Bournemouth, Aston Villa and an alreadydoomed Norwich.
Watford were seven points adrift of safety and seemingly down and out when they appointed Pearson in December.
He was the third head coach of the season at Vicarage Road, but he has re-energised the place, restored belief and they are looking forward to a fifth successive season in the top flight.
Players exchanged high-fives and fist-bumps of satisfaction and relief at the final whistle, even if the head coach refused to get carried away.
‘We have had a reasonable week but we’ve got work to do,’ said Pearson. ‘We’ve got three games left and we have respect for other people and other clubs fighting relegation. Our job is to see it through. We are focused on trying to achieve our own goals.’
The outlook had been less positive at half-time. Newcastle controlled most of the first half, threatening from set-pieces and they led through Gayle, who tapped in his third goal in five Premier League appearances since the restart from a corner flicked on by Federico Fernandez.
Allan Saint-Maximin could have stretched the lead when released by Gayle but goalkeeper Ben Foster narrowed the angles and trip on Femenia, who had skipped past one challenge when Matt Ritchie raced back into the box and tried to win the ball.
Femenia saw him coming, took the contact knee-to-knee and did not hesitate to hit the turf.
Pawson gave a penalty, a decision not overturned by the video assistant, and Deeney stepped up to beat Dubravka.
Confidence and belief surged through Watford as they kicked down the slope in search of a winner.
Dubravka saved from Deeney — and the combined efforts of Fernandez and Danny Rose denied Welbeck. There was a hint that the ball might have clipped Rose on the arm on its way over the goal but, this time, the officials sided with Newcastle.
Abdoulaye Doucoure sliced wide, Welbeck missed the target with a header and the build-up of pressure provoked a poor decision by Javier Manquillo and led to the second penalty.
Sarr rolled away from Manquillo but the defender tried to hang onto him to prevent him from wriggling clear.
Feeling the hands all over his back and arms, Sarr went to ground. Again, referee Pawson pointed to the spot. Again, Deeney took responsibility, picked up the ball and smashed it beyond Dubravka. Captain Cojones to the rescue.
WATFORD (4-2-3-1): Foster 7; Femenia 7, Kabasele 6, Dawson 6.5, Masina 6.5; Capoue 7.5, Hughes 7; Sarr 6.5, Doucoure 6, Welbeck 6 (Gray 90min); Deeney 8 (Cleverley 85). Booked: Hughes. Subs (not used): Gomes, Mariappa, Chalobah, Cathcart, Pedro, Pussetto, Pereyra. NEWCASTLE (4-2-3-1): Dubravka 7; Manquillo 6, Lascelles 7 (Lazaro 87), Fernandez 6, Rose 5 (Krafth 79); Scharr 6, Shelvey 6.5; Saint-Maximin 5.5, Almiron 6, Ritchie 6 (Joelinton 72, 5); Gayle 6.5 (Bentaleb 79). Booked: Lascelles, Manquillo, Fernandez, Schar. Subs (not used): Darlow, Muto, Yedlin, Atsu, M Longstaff. Referee: C Pawson (South Yorkshire) 6.