Troy Deeney scored two second-half penalties as Watford came from behind once more to beat Newcastle and open up vital breathing space as they battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
Newcastle were the better side in the first half at Vicarage Road and deserved the lead given to them when Dwight Gayle turned in Federico Fernandez’s flick from Matt Ritchie’s corner in the 23rd minute.
Watford, who hit the post through Danny Welbeck, were indebted to a vital save by Ben Foster from Allan Saint-Maximim before the break – leaving them in position to mount another recovery in the second half.
They were handed a lifeline after 52 minutes when Deeney drilled home a spot-kick following Ritchie’s foul on Kiko Femenia, and he repeated his heroics nine minutes from time after Javier Manquillo hauled down Ismaila Sarr in the box.
It gave Watford a priceless three points as they showed the same powers of recovery that saw them overturn a 1-0 deficit to beat doomed Norwich City in their previous home game – and crucially leaves them six points clear of Bournemouth in the bottom three, although the Cherries have played a game less.
Deeney holds his nerve to inspire Watford
Watford needed a big performance to rescue a mediocre first 45 minutes that left them facing defeat against visitors who had looked sharper and more urgent.
Cometh the hour cometh Watford’s talisman, though, as captain Deeney put a barren sequence of only one league goal in his previous 10 games behind him to make the contribution that could yet keep the Hornets in the top flight.
The goals may have come from the penalty spot but the 32-year-old showed commendable nerve on both occasions, using his tried and trusted technique of sheer power to beat Newcastle keeper Martin Dubravka for the first spot-kick then winning a battle of wits to deliver in similar style late on when the pressure was at its peak.
It was just what Watford required to build on the home win against Norwich City, ensuring momentum was maintained and increasing the peril for the likes of Bournemouth and Aston Villa with Norwich City now relegated.
Manager Nigel Pearson has been involved in great escapes before, as an assistant at West Bromwich Albion and in charge at Leicester City – and this result goes a long way towards helping him preserve that record.
Newcastle run out of steam
Newcastle manager Steve Bruce would have been confident his side would make amends for the embarrassment of their 5-0 thrashing at Manchester City after a confident and impressive first half.
Sadly for Bruce and Newcastle, it was all downhill once referee Craig Pawson penalised Ritchie when his knee made contact with Femenia in the area just after half-time.
Watford gained the upper hand and did not let go as Newcastle faded badly, their fate sealed by Manquillo’s unwise decision to tangle with Sarr as the Watford forward raced into the danger zone late on.
Given all the pre-season pessimism, and the lukewarm reception he received after succeeding the popular Rafael Benitez on Tyneside, Bruce has done a highly respectable job in consolidating Newcastle, especially with takeover talk a constant sub-plot to his work these days.
Now he must ensure Newcastle’s season does not fizzle out too much at the finale.
