Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer was left baffled why Eddie Howe’s side didn’t go for the “kill” against Watford after taking the lead.
The 1-1 draw against the Hornets was the ninth Premier League game this season that the Magpies have failed to win after scoring first.
No side has thrown away more leads in he top-flight during this campaign. Leeds United and Southampton are the two sides closest to Newcastle, having failed to hold onto the three points on six occasions.
Speaking on last night’s Match of the Day, Shearer didn’t hold back his frustrations and labelled the clash at St James’ Park, a match between “two poor teams”.
After Allan Saint-Maximin’s inspired moment of individual brilliance had given us the lead, early in the second half, the Premier League’s all-time top goalscorer was hoping his former club would kick on and go and “attack” Claudio Ranieri’s side.
Shearer said: “Be brave, have a bit of character. Don’t sit back which is what they have done in every other game they have taken the lead and wait for Watford to come and punish you.
“But that’s exactly what they did.
“They’ve got the goal, they’ve done the hard part getting in front. Get the confidence and go for the kill – try and go after Watford.”
Joao Pedro scored an 88th-minute equaliser for Watford which meant Newcastle missed out on the opportunity to climb out of the relegation places.
Shearer described the draw as a “desperately disappointing” result for Newcastle, which was a “good” point for Watford.
The 51-year-old added: “So bad [from Newcastle] when they again get in front.”
The Toon Army had one effort on target against a “struggling” Watford side, which Shearer described as “nowhere near good enough”.
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