Watford take the honours but Newcastle can celebrate too
It was perfect weather for it, but neither Watford nor Newcastle could be accused of dreaming of their holidays.
A full-throttle, highly entertaining game saw Watford record a victory for the first time in eight matches after two early goals from Roberto Pereyra and Andre Gray proved two much for Newcastle, who were much improved after the break.
The travelling fans were full of joyful celebration despite their first-half demise. They sang appreciation for Rafael Benitez, nominated for Premier League manager of the season, and mocked Sunderland relentlessly.
Benitez was disappointed with this display but able to see the bigger picture after securing survival. “We achieved something that is really important and difficult. With five games to go, it’s a great achievement,” he said.
Although there is nothing tangible left to play for with this result ensuring their survival, if Watford can pick up anything at Old Trafford on the last day, then they are likely to better their highest Premier League finish of 13th, achieved two years ago.
“I am happy because we have achieved the mathematical objective,” said manager Javi Gracia. “I think we played better first half. We would have killed the game if we’d scored the third goal. In the second half, we showed more character, and in the first half we showed more quality and ambition. Other games, in added time, we have lost many points. Today, we were able to keep the result. I am proud of the players and about the attitude.”
Watford have struggled for goals under Gracia – with just nine in 13 prior to this fixture – but as early as the second minute they struck here as Pereyra side-footed past Martin Dubravka after Abdoulaye Doucoure’s clever pass had found him.
Newcastle were listless and almost went two down after five minutes as Pereyra, Troy Deeney and finally Etienne Capoue all went close, with Dubravka performing heroics in goal. But Gray did score Watford’s second as he nodded in Pereyra’s cross from close range. The fee paid for Gray could reach as much as £18 million, and this was only his fifth goal of the season. But his all-round performance here will provide fans with optimism.
With Newcastle looking increasingly chaotic, the linesman indicated that a penalty should be given to Watford as Paul Dummett slid in late on Gray with the ball drifting harmlessly to safety. Deeney stepped up to take it and was foiled by Dubravka who also brilliantly stopped the rebound. Newcastle could not have been much worse in the second half and, in fact, they were considerably better. They were back in it 10 minutes after the break when Ayoze Perez carefully slid in Javier Manquillo’s deep cross at the far post.
Watford needed Orestis Karnezis to make a smart save as Adrian Mariappa almost directed another Manquillo cross into his own goal. Substitute Mikel Merino was inches away from equalising, but Mariappa somehow managed to deflect his shot over as the Hornets hung on.
It is now three defeats in a row for Newcastle, but that did not spoil another long away day for the Toon Army.
“I am very disappointed,” said Benitez. “We didn’t start the game with the concentration that we were expecting. We made too many mistakes. We lost the game because of that. We are making these mistakes because maybe we don’t have this necessity to get points. It doesn’t matter too much if we lose the game.”
Watford (4-1-3-2) Karnezis 7; Janmaat 7, Cathcart 6, Kabasele 6, Holebas 6; Doucoure 7; Hughes 7, Capoue 6, Pereyra 8 (Deulofeu 56); Deeney 5 (Mariappa 62), Gray 7 (Richarlison 80). Subs Gomes (g), Britos, Sinclair, Femenia. Booked Kabasele, Holebas. Newcastle (4-2-3-1): Dubravka 8; Manquillo 7 (Yedlin 67), Lejeune 6, Lascelles 6, Dummett 5; Shelvey 5, Diame 7 (Merino 84); Murphy 6 (Ritchie 53), Perez 7, Kenedy 6; Gayle 6. Subs Darlow (g), Hayden, Joselu, Haidara. Booked Perez. Referee Roger East (Wiltshire).