Flashback: Newcastle and Watford play to an early-season 1-1 draw

Fabian Schar of Newcastle United. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Fabian Schar of Newcastle United. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

After an embarrassing blowout defeat vs. Manchester City midweek, Newcastle United will try to bounce back against 17th-place Watford at Vicarage Road. The clubs played to a draw earlier and we revisit that reverse fixture before they meet again tomorrow.

Newcastle United 1, Watford 1

Lineup

GK: Martin Dubravka

DEF: Emil Krafth, Fabian Schar, Jamaal Lascelles, Paul Dummett, Jetro Willems

MID: Miguel Almiron, Isaac Hayden, Sean Longstaff, Christian Atsu

FWD: Joelinton

Substitutes: Federico Fernandez, Javier Manquillo, Yoshinori Muto

Newcastle Stats

49% possession, 13 shots, five shots on target

The Recap

Things could not have started off worse for Newcastle United. Within the first two minutes, a deflected shot led to an easy goal from Aaron Hughes, stunning the crowd at St. James’ Park.
The Magpies would equalize shortly before halftime. A cross into the area was contested by Isaac Hayden enough for the loose ball to end up with Fabian Schar. The central defender was calm in front of goal and buried his chance. Hayden was one of the bright spots on the day for Steve Bruce’s side.

Schar had another chance in the second half, but his header went wide. Miguel Almiron, still searching for goal #1 at that time, had a big miss for the Magpies, too. But, it was Watford that wasted some of the match’s easiest opportunities.

After this match, Newcastle United would be outscored 8-1 in their next three Premier League outings, two losses and a draw. For Watford, this match was the first in a run of eight matches in the league that they didn’t win.