Newcastle 1 – 1 Watford

Joao Pedro’s equaliser saw Newcastle once again punished for conceding late goals as Watford snatched a 1-1 draw and avoided dropping into the bottom three.

The 20-year-old popped up in the 88th minute to nod home from a fine Kiko Femenia cross – the Magpies have dropped 21 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season.

This ‘relegation six-pointer’ brought a thoroughly entertaining first half – aided by the pumped-up Toon Army – but it did end without a shot on target.

Joelinton should have twice fired Newcastle ahead too. Both chances came from corners with Kieran Trippier joining Ryan Fraser on set-piece duty. Joelinton firstly flicked the ball onto the underside of the crossbar, before firing wide as Fraser sent in a lovely curling ball to the back post.

Newcastle deservedly made the breakthrough less than five minutes after the break. Jeremy Ngakia had done brilliantly well to keep Saint-Maximin quiet in the first half, but a poor moment of control allowed the Newcastle midfielder through.

Saint-Maximin came off the better as the pair tussled for the ball, driving into the area. He dinked past Watford debutant Samir before firing a low, hard effort into the bottom corner to give Newcastle a vital lead (49). However, this turned out to be the hosts’ only shot on target of the entire 90 minutes.

The goal seemed to galvanise Watford, who were looking to end a run of six successive Premier League defeats, and had their best chances of the game as the clock ticked past the hour mark.

Joao Pedro saw an effort loop into Martin Dubravka’s hands. Then, it was the battle of the birthday boys as Joshua King – celebrating his 30th – drove into the area. However, Dubravka – 33 – was out to smother the eventual shot.

Moussa Sissoko almost came back to haunt his former club, having spent three years at Newcastle. It followed another good break from Watford, Emmanuel Dennis riding a few challenges, before laying the ball off for Sissoko on his right. However, despite an impressive run of his own, the Hornets captain curled his effort past the far corner.

But Watford nabbed their deserved equaliser thanks to Joao Pedro’s equaliser, keeping the Hornets just above the drop zone by a point after Norwich’s 2-1 win against Everton.

There were loud boos from the Newcastle fans at full-time, with some leaving after Watford’s equaliser, as the Magpies sit in 19th place on 12 points.

What’s next?

Live FNF

Friday 21st January 7:00pm

Newcastle are back in Premier League action next Saturday when they travel to Leeds; kick-off 3pm. Watford have two huge Premier League games against the other teams in the bottom three along with Newcastle.

They will travel to Burnley on Tuesday evening before taking on Norwich live on Friday Night Football; kick-off 8pm.