23 mins Matt Ritchie's corner was headed on by Federico Fernandez and when Miguel Almiron ducked under the ball, Dwight Gayle was on hand to tap home from barely a yard out in front of the Rookery Stand. 1-0

Half time: Hornets 0 Magpies 1

52 mins Matt Ritchie's clumsy attempt to win the ball saw him make contact with Kiko Femenia's knee in the box and Troy Deeney blasted his penalty kick straight down the middle to beat Martin Dubravka. 1-1

82 mins Javier Manquillo ran into trouble from a throw-in, attaching himself limpet-like to Sarr in the area and dragging him over as the attacker turned. You'll struggle to see a worse bit of defending at any level and although the contact wasn't enough to floor Sarr, the level of stupidity from the defender deserved to be punished.

Dubravka guessed what Deeney would do this time from the spot but forgot to raise his hands in time, although the penalty couldn't have been hit much harder. 1-2

Full time: Hornets 2 Magpies 1

Nigel Pearson said:

"Anything can happen. We have to keep our focus now, and it is not about thinking the job is done - we have got three more games to make sure we win enough points ourselves.

"What happens elsewhere can help, but if you are reliant on that you are in for a bit of a shock, so our focus has to be there.

"We are always working hard to try to find the solutions to the situation we find ourselves in.

"Back in December it didn't look possible and we have had some decent runs and difficult times but throughout it all you have got to remain with a balanced view.

"We know we've got good players and really important match-winners but this win was about us being able to respond to disappointment and still being able to function. That is not easy, especially with there being no fans, but it has been a reasonable week for us so far."

From his programme notes:

"I’ve seen some other managers talking about the different a lack of a crowd can make, and I go along with the sentiments about it being quite tough at times to play in an environment that really is so unusual.

"I’m not sure how Steve (Bruce) feels about this, because I know just how expectant the supporters can be from working there, so perhaps they’ve found it to their liking.”

Despite enjoying a comfortable interval lead at Vicarage Road on Saturday, Newcastle deservedly suffered a second away defeat in four days as their season drifts towards a conclusion.

Dwight Gayle gave the orange-clad Magpies a 23rd minute advantage from close range, but spot kick conversions from Troy Deeney in the 52nd and 82nd minute left Nigel Pearson's Hornets on the verge of confirming top-flight survival.

Steve Bruce made five changes to the side beaten 0-5 at Manchester City; Jamaal Lascelles, Javier Manquillo, Dwight Gayle, Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin returning at the expense of Emil Krafth, DeAndre Yedlin, Joelinton, Valentino Lazaro and Nabil Bentaleb.

Two early chances fell to Almiron before the hosts came mightily close to taking a 16th minute lead. Danny Welbeck's shot rebounded off the crossbar and was desperately close to the goal line before Lascelles hacked it clear - goal line technology proving that the whole of the ball hadn't crossed over.

Within seven minutes the visitors were ahead; Matt Ritchie's corner headed on by Federico Fernandez and Almiron ducking under the ball for Gayle to tap home from barely a yard out.

Saint-Maximin's pace and balance gave him the opportunity of a second on 35 minutes, but goalkeeper Ben Foster blocked his slightly awkward effort.

Some sort of response from a lifeless home side was anticipated in the second period, but Newcastle were to be architects of their own downfall; combining suicidal defending with languid play that gave Watford every encouragement to attack them.

An equaliser arrived seven minutes after the restart when Matt Ritchie made contact with Kiko Femenia in the box and Deeney blasted his penalty kick straight down the middle to beat Dubravka.

A second goal for Watford and Deeney was then almost gift-wrapped when Fernandez surrendered possession deep in his own half, but fortunately the Hornets Captain directed his shot straight at the 'keeper.

Barely 90 seconds later, Welbeck's shot was deflected on to the top of the Newcastle net, the hosts exploiting the wide open spaces afforded to them in central midfield.

While Matty Longstaff looked on from the bench, United persisted with the over-run and under-supported Fabian Schar and left the non-functioning Shelvey on. Isaac Hayden's stock rises with each game he misses.

The possibility of taking a point that our second half performance barely warranted was increasing as the game moved into the closing stages, and Watford struggled to turn pressure into clear-cut chances.

Having failed to concede a spot kick in the Premier League all season before today though, United contrived to give away a second within half an hour.

A series of Newcastle substitutions and defensive reshuffling saw Manquillo swap from the right flank to the left - and almost immediately he ran into trouble, attaching limpet-like to Sarr in the area and dragging him over as the attacker turned.

Dubravka denied Deeney from 12 yards here two years ago, but was unable to prevent Watford's top scorer from hammering home again to ensure a second comeback victory for his side within five days.

West Ham's 4-0 victory at Carrow Road confirmed that Norwich City will be playing in the Championship next season, leaving two relegation places still to be filled.

It looks increasingly unlikely that the Hornets will occupy one of those, thanks in no small part to our second half largesse and lack of motivation.

Watford gave out free ice creams after our 2018 visit here; two years on, it was the visitors who were in a benevolent mood - and easily licked.... 

Biffa

We're sad to report the passing of Newcastle fan David Proud at the tragically young age of 34. An adopted Geordie, David was regularly found cheering on the lads at the George & Dragon Pub in Fremont, Seattle, USA.

David is pictured with Obafemi Martins during the time that the former Magpie striker was with MLS side Seattle Sounders. Our condolences go to his family and the lads and lasses at Toon Army Seattle.