The French midfielder headed the Hornets level with eight minutes remaining but then missed an easier opportunity with another header seconds from the end.. Substitute Abdoulaye Doucoure salvaged a point for Watford but he should have earned his side all three against Newcastle at Vicarage Road.
The Hornets had dominated possession during the match but found it difficult to break down a stubborn and resolute Magpies defence who took the lead in the 29th minute through Salomon Rondon’s header from Matt Ritchie’s cross.
The Venezuelan also had two goals disallowed for offside, although the first decision was marginal. Forward Isaac Success was impressive in attack for the home side, and went close when his goal-bound shot was brilliantly blocked by Federico Fernandez.
Watford rotation just about pays off
Watford manager Javi Gracia’s decision to make six changes to his starting line-up seemed a poor decision during a match in which his side showed good intent but not much more.
Newcastle packed the area in front of the defence and left Rondon up on his own, making it doubly difficult for the home side to find a route into the area.
When they did pierce the 18-yard box they were met by unflinching resistance, with Gerard Deulofeu denied by the foot of keeper Martin Dubravka before Success saw his shot deflected wide by Fernandez.
Watford looked less and less likely to find an equaliser as the match approached the final throws, but then up popped Doucoure.
The 25-year-old has scored some brilliant goals for the Hornets, but this was a simple in its execution from Deulofeu’s cross.
However, despite earning Watford a point, the midfielder will be puzzled as to how he failed to grab the match-winner, instead heading wide from about four yards out.
The point moves Watford up to ninth spot with 28 points from 20 games.
Rondon honours number nine shirt
The Venezuelan’s display at Vicarage Road was reminiscent of another striker who once graced the Newcastle number nine shirt.
The club’s all-time leading scorer Alan Shearer will no doubt be one of many unrestrained in their praise of a performance that almost earned the Magpies a valuable victory in a stuttering season.
Rondon, on loan from West Brom, held the ball up well, brought others into play, was a handful in the Watford box and should have come away from Vicarage Road with more than his one goal.
Aside from his first-half header, he also had two other efforts ruled out for offside – the first debatable with former Magpie Daryl Janmaat appearing to have played him onside as the striker broke away.
Next up, it is Manchester United at home for Rondon and the Magpies.
Source: BBC News
