Ericson Mangoli
Watford 2-1 Newcastle: Clinical Troy Deeney scores twice from spot-kick as Hornets come from behind to move six points clear of drop-zone.
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 was 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, was indebted to a vital save by Ben Foster from Allan Saint-Maximum 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.
