MY ACCOUNT
Substitute Joao Pedro’s late equaliser for Watford secured a 1-1 draw, preventing Newcastle from moving out of the relegation zone.
The Magpies found the breakthrough just after half-time when Allan Saint-Maximin robbed Jeremy Ngakia before smashing inside the near post from the edge of the area to make it 1-0.
They were unable to hold onto their lead, however, as Watford substitute Pedro headed Kiko Femenia’s right-wing cross into the top-left corner with just two minutes remaining.
The Hornets avoid a seventh straight Premier League defeat and remain outside the bottom three, while Newcastle are winless in their last six games in all competitions.
Watford manager Claudio Ranieri explained he was happy with the result, but not the performance.
He said: “I am satisfied but I want more from my players. We played our football in the last 30 minutes. We conceded too many chances to them with the set-pieces.
“They created the goal but we created more chances in the second half. I have a very good squad and we have to show this. I am happy we drew at the end but I’m not happy because we did not play so good.
“I understand my players may be a little anxious but they have to play, they have to play. When we were desperate we tried to go more.
“We had to shoot at goal — we had to do something more. These players can do more.
“Fortunately, they scored at the beginning of the second half and we had all the rest of the match to draw it. It is not important to win but I want to see my players play free.
“For example when we lost to Chelsea and Leicester, we tried football and tried to win. Today we were a little anxious.
“I am happy we never give up but I ask more from them because I believe in them and know what they can do. When they want to do something they can.”
Did you know?
Newcastle have dropped 21 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season, at least three more than any other side.
The Magpies have scored the first goal in 10 different Premier League games this season, but have only gone on to win one of those (D6 L3).
Watford remain the only side in England’s top four tiers without a league clean sheet this season. The Hornets have conceded in each of their last 29 Premier League matches since a 3-0 win against Liverpool in February 2020.
Saint-Maximin’s opener after 49 minutes was Newcastle’s only attempt on target in the whole match.
Watford have never lost a league game in which Pedro has scored for them, though today was the first such game the Hornets failed to win (W10 D1).
