Newcastle 1-0 Watford: Perez earns Magpies first win of season

Ayoze Perez's celebrates second-half goal — Ayoze Perez's second-half header earned Newcastle their first win of the campaign

Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez said his players "showed what they can do" as the Magpies claimed their first win of the season against Watford at St James' Park.

Ayoze Perez headed Ki Sung-yueng's in-swinging free-kick past Ben Foster in the second half to end the hosts' winless run and lift them out of the relegation zone.

The Magpies rode their luck in the first half, with Watford duo Adrian Mariappa and Gerard Deulofeu both guilty of spurning excellent opportunities to put the Hornets ahead.

But Newcastle - who lost Yoshinori Muto, Jamaal Lascelles and Jonjo Shelvey to injury before the hour mark - improved after the break to earn their first home points of the season.

"I think [the win] was important for everyone," said Benitez.

"To win against a good team with a lot of confidence, to win in the way that we did with everyone behind the team - and with three players coming from the bench and making a great contribution - was very positive."

Benitez's team came under intense pressure in the first half as Mariappa scuffed a shot wide moments after seeing a close-range header hacked off the line, before Deulofeu dragged a tame effort off target following a delightful through-ball from Abdoulaye Doucoure.

Roberto Pereyra rattled the crossbar in the opening minutes of the second half, but Newcastle held on to climb into 17th above Cardiff and Fulham.

"It's important for everyone to see that the team is capable to perform and compete," added Benitez.

"If you are in a better position in the table, the players will have more confidence."

Magpies ride their luck

Newcastle failed to register a single shot on target against Southampton last weekend, and the Magpies struggled to create clear-cut opportunities once again on home turf, testing Foster on just two occasions.

The Watford custodian's only save in the first 45 minutes came from Mohamed Diame's long-range drive, while Salomon Rondon - making his first Premier League start since 22 September - cut an isolated figure in attack.

Kenedy broke clear of the Hornets' defence midway through the first half, but the Chelsea loanee's powerful shot was blocked by Mariappa.

The hosts improved after the break, with Perez scoring Newcastle's first home goal since a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal on 15 September.

Benitez will hope the win proves a turning point for the Magpies, who host Bournemouth next Saturday.

Wasteful Watford

Watford inflicted the Magpies' heaviest defeat at St James' Park last season, and manager Javi Gracia will feel his team should have registered another three points after a dominant performance in the North East.

The Hornets laid siege to the home goal in the first half but only managed one shot on target over the course of 90 minutes.

Deulofeu - who scored his first goal since February in the 3-0 victory over struggling Huddersfield last weekend - missed a hat-trick of chances before the break.

The former Barcelona and Everton attacker scuffed a shot wide from close range before firing harmlessly off target from Doucoure's pass.

He then drilled a low effort into the side-netting as Newcastle somehow managed to go in to half-time with their clean sheet still intact.

Pereyra was unlucky not to break the deadlock shortly after the interval with a fierce shot that rebounded off the crossbar, but it wasn't to be for Gracia's men who slipped to their fourth league defeat of the season.

Man of the match - Ayoze Perez (Newcastle)

Perez breaks his duck - the stats

Newcastle earned their first victory in all competitions against Watford since a Championship game in February 2010, ending a run of five consecutive defeats against the Hornets.

A league-high share, 57% of Newcastle's Premier League goals this season have been headers (4/7).

Watford mustered 16 shots in this match, but just one of these was on target - 13 of their attempts came in the opening 45 minutes.

Three of Newcastle's seven Premier League goals this season have been scored from substitutes (43%).

Ayoze Perez scored his first goal in 11 Premier League games for Newcastle, since netting twice against Chelsea on the final day of the 2017-18 season.

This was Rafael Benitez's 50th win as Newcastle manager in all competitions, in his 116th game in charge of the Magpies.

What the managers said...

We showed everyone today what we can do - Rafa Benitez

Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez: "In my opinion we deserved to win before today, but to do it today with the team working so hard and with the fans behind us was good.

"We had three injury problems and three substitutions but the reaction was good. It is a great three points.

"All three players really contributed, we needed energy and commitment from everyone and the three players quickly focused and did what they had to do."

Gracia 'disappointed' with Watford result, but not his players

Watford manager Javi Gracia, speaking to BBC Sport: "I think in the first half we played much better, we had more chances - clear chances - and a lot of them.

"If you don't score, then from a free-kick Newcastle can score. We need to improve for the next game. I can be disappointed with the result but not with my players.

"I like to be demanding and want us to finish better, but we have played well and need to keep this level. Today was a missed opportunity but that is football."

What's next?

Newcastle welcome Bournemouth to St James' Park in the Premier League next Saturday (15:00 GMT kick-off), with Watford away at Southampton at the same time.

Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text

Line-ups

Newcastle

12Dubravka
22Yedlin
6LascellesSubstituted forSchärat 45'minutesBooked at 90mins
18Fernandez
3Dummett
11Ritchie
8ShelveySubstituted forKi Sung-yuengat 51'minutes
10Diamé
15Kenedy
13MutoSubstituted forPérezat 45+2'minutes
9Rondón

Substitutes

4Ki Sung-yueng
5Schär
17Pérez
19Manquillo
21Joselu
26Darlow
30Atsu

Watford

26Foster
21Femenía
6Mariappa
15Cathcart
25HolebasBooked at 90mins
16Doucouré
29CapoueBooked at 38mins
19HughesBooked at 64minsSubstituted forOkakaat 77'minutesBooked at 84mins
37Pereyra
7DeulofeuSubstituted forGrayat 66'minutesBooked at 90mins
10SuccessSubstituted forChalobahat 85'minutes

Substitutes

1Gomes
11Masina
12Sema
14Chalobah
18Gray
27Kabasele
33Okaka

Referee:: Craig Pawson
Attendance:: 49,157

Match Stats

Home TeamNewcastleAway TeamWatford

Possession: Home42%; Away58%

Shots: Home10; Away16

Shots on Target: Home2; Away1

Corners: Home8; Away9

Fouls: Home12; Away11

Live Text

Post update
Match ends, Newcastle United 1, Watford 0.
90'+6'
Full Time
Second Half ends, Newcastle United 1, Watford 0.

90'+5'
Post update
Kiko Femenía (Watford) wins a free kick on the right wing.
90'+5'
Post update
Foul by Kenedy (Newcastle United).
90'+5'
Post update
Etienne Capoue (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+5'
Post update
Foul by Salomón Rondón (Newcastle United).
90'+4'
Booking
Andre Gray (Watford) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
90'+4'
Post update
Foul by Andre Gray (Watford).
90'+4'
Post update
Fabian Schär (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+3'
Post update
Attempt missed. Stefano Okaka (Watford) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Abdoulaye Doucouré.
90'+2'
Booking
Fabian Schär (Newcastle United) is shown the yellow card.
90'+2'
Booking
José Holebas (Watford) is shown the yellow card.
89'
Post update
Corner, Watford. Conceded by DeAndre Yedlin.
88'
Post update
Etienne Capoue (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
88'
Post update
Foul by Salomón Rondón (Newcastle United).
87'
Post update
Foul by Nathaniel Chalobah (Watford).
87'
Post update
Mohamed Diamé (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
85'
Post update
Foul by Craig Cathcart (Watford).
85'
Post update
Ayoze Pérez (Newcastle United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
85'
Substitution
Substitution, Watford. Nathaniel Chalobah replaces Isaac Success.

	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	Liverpool	11	8	3	0	21	5	16	27
2	Man City	10	8	2	0	27	3	24	26
3	Chelsea	10	7	3	0	24	7	17	24
4	Tottenham	11	8	0	3	19	10	9	24

5	Arsenal	11	7	2	2	25	14	11	23

6	Bournemouth	11	6	2	3	20	14	6	20
7	Man Utd	11	6	2	3	19	18	1	20
8	Watford	11	6	1	4	16	13	3	19
9	Everton	11	5	3	3	19	15	4	18
10	Leicester	11	5	1	5	17	16	1	16
11	Wolves	11	4	3	4	11	12	-1	15
12	Brighton	11	4	2	5	12	16	-4	14
13	West Ham	11	3	2	6	13	17	-4	11
14	Crystal Palace	10	2	2	6	7	13	-6	8
15	Burnley	11	2	2	7	12	25	-13	8
16	Southampton	10	1	4	5	6	14	-8	7
17	Newcastle	11	1	3	7	7	14	-7	6

18	Cardiff	11	1	2	8	9	24	-15	5
19	Fulham	10	1	2	7	11	28	-17	5
20	Huddersfield	10	0	3	7	4	21	-17	3

Team

Pts

-1

-4

-4

-6

-13

-8

-7

-15

-17

-17

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113 comments

As an impartial football fan, I'm pretty flabbergasted by anyone who claims Newcastle doesn't qualify as a 'big club'. What else do you call a side that draws 50,000 people to their home games? Newcastle fans probably have a right to deserve more success than they get, considering the huge, unwavering support they put behind their team. Good luck to them.
Just like to add to this thread that, whilst it's great to win, football matters such as relegation have been kept in perspective.
Great to see the football family pay their respects to a special chairman who's shown the positive effect a chairman can have on a club and a community.
There is only so far Rafa can take a Championship quality team in the Premiership. This is going to be a very tough season for Newcastle. I think they can survive, but it’s certainly not going to be pretty. Newcastle fans deserve better.
Delighted for Newcastle

Not going to be pretty but perhaps just perhaps Rafa and Co can pull something off this year

Here's hoping
Perplexed duck you're clearly absolutely clueless. Ashley didn't put any money towards the championship season, we sold sissoko and wijnaldum for over 50 mil!
Omg we've finally won! Can't believe it. This is all Mike Ashley's fault mind, not sure other clubs fans understand what we're going through but I can't wait til he leaves.
I keep hearing about deluded Newcastle fans. What does that mean? Do we think were going to be in the top 6 every august. would be nice, but realistically?
NUFC have played better and lost this year.
45 DAVEYBOY.......love the confidence you have considering your world beating overnight team are back to winning ways, but come back in May for the proof of tyne and wear derby, long long way to go, the last times, we got relegated, both times we won the championship....the last time you got relegated to the championship, you finished bottom and got relegated AGAIN....dont get clever in this game.
Where is that Otterburner fellow tonight. I am pleased no should I say relieved that we won. That has spoilt the weekend for all the Mackems who usually comment on here. Well it’s not going to be pretty but a few more results like ‘‘tis are fine as far as I am concerned. We need to try and push on now but who knows with this team time will tell.
We will probably go on a mini unbeaten run, just in time for the Jan transfer window when Ashley can them claim there’s no need to strengthen the squad.
@perplexedduck,,,,the very fact you blame rafa for us going down instead of the bad decisions and running of the club from Mike Ashley shows how stupid you really are. I suppose you blame shearer for the first time we went down. Get yourself out for a pizza with big mike, charley and Dennis wise and you can tell Mike how much you love him,,,,he's a great bloke is that mike,,,,,haha
Good win, much needed win against a very good side, hopefully this win we can build on it, now that its finally arrived, hope the injuries are not too bad that we picked up today, just nice to win at last and get out the bottom 3 at the same time.
@21 perplexed duck,,,,,to be honest I think your a troll,,,I personally think your a mackem. But your definitely not a proper toon fan.Mike this , Mike that,,,,your an idiot.. Ashley has been nothing short of a disgrace since he took over NUFC,,,,yet you talk like he's your hero. Also yes he gave raf a 40million in the championship,but he had to rebuild an entire squad. Look at villa,,
#61 Ashley has just paid £8m for Evans Cycles, not sure what position he plays though.
@30 MACKEMS ON HERE......the honest mackem who cares more about us losing...than their own team winning.....the world beaters in league one.....who are great again overnight....why should they be on here being cocky.
Its going to be a very,very long season for Newcastle.Its a good job that Huddersfield and Cardiff are around,because if they don't finish in the bottom two,the moon will fall from the sky.
If you give a trainer donkey's he's not going to win the Derby
RB is a fantastic manager. I can't see Newcastle improving with their mediocre squad. I'd like to see them change tact and invest in youth. Build a world class youth academy and push on.
Would have been nice for us to get a third win in a row but hey ho that's football. Maybe next week.........enough said