Newcastle United should have beaten Watford. It’s as simple as that.
On the whole it was a positive performance from the Magpies. They created chances away from home and played some decent football.
But they squandered those chances, and gave Watford an opportunity. They took it with both hands, and could have won it themselves had VAR not chalked off Josh King’s goal for offside.
Despite the result, there were a lot of positive performances from Newcastle…
Karl Darlow 7
Made two saves in the opening attack of the game, but was rarely tested otherwise. Could do nothing about Ismaila Sarr’s goal.
Javi Manquillo 7
Another decent performance from the Spaniard despite picking up an early yellow card.
Federico Fernandez 7
A steady return to the starting lineup for Federico Fernandez. Nearly gave us an early lead, but his looping header was tipped over the bar by Ben Foster.
Ciaran Clark 7
Looks a lot more comfortable in a back four than a back five. However, he should have scored with a header in the second half.
Matt Ritchie 7
Picked up a foolish booking in the first half, but recovered brilliantly. Dealt with Sarr well, especially considering he was playing as a left-back rather than a wing-back.
Isaac Hayden 7
Formation change suited him brilliantly. Just like Leeds he was thundering into tackles and protecting the back four as best he could.
Sean Longstaff 8
An excellent performance from Longstaff, who was Newcastle’s best player.
Deserved his goal, and should have scored a second. Tired towards the end, but deserved to be on the winning side at Vicarage Road. He finally looks to be getting back to his 2019 form.
Joe Willock 6
A shock inclusion in the starting XI, Willock’s performance was ruined by a lapse in concentration in the second half. He let Sarr lose in the box, allowing the Senegalese winger to equaliser.
Should have scored himself after being played through by Allan Saint-Maximin.
Miguel Almiron 6
A poor first half but improved in the second where he managed to get a lot more space.
However, he continues to be wasted on the right of attack.
Joelinton 7
Another solid showing from Joelinton down the left, whose aerial presence gave us a more direct option at times.
Allan Saint-Maximin 7
After a scintillating performance vs Leeds, Saint-Maximin will be frustrated.
Teed up Longstaff for his goal, and should have got more assists had it not been for his teammates’ woeful finishing.
Jacob Murphy N/A, Dwight Gayle N/A
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