Magpies outclassed at home

London - Newcastle United suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat at the hands of Watford at St James Park in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

Statistically this was a fairly even encounter with both sides ending the match with 10 shots at goal, however a vast majority of Newcastle's attempts were from range and didn't really trouble Gomes in the Watford goal.

The visitors were incisive in attack and went ahead through Will Hughes in the 19th minute with their first shot on target in the match.

DeAndre Yedlin suffered the ignominy of putting the ball into his own net seconds before the half-time whistle before Andre Gray made it 3-0 in the 62nd minute.

The Magpies made a very strong start to the match and they were almost ahead less than five minutes into the game after Jacob Murphy concluded an incisive breakaway with a deft cross into the box for Joselu, who almost looked surprised how much space he had and completely scuffed his shot wide of the target.

Not long after, Murphy set up another chance, this time for Matt Ritchie on the edge of the area, but the Scot was also unable to hit the target to compound a frustrating start to the match for the hosts. 

Things went from bad to worse around 19 minutes into the game when Christian Kabasele picked out Marvin Zeegelaar on the left wing with a delightful through ball.

The Dutch winger then chopped his cross back to Hughes at the top of the box and the midfielder smashed the ball past Rob Elliot to hand Watford the lead. 

Newcastle never really recovered from going behind and it seemed only a matter of time before the visitors would double their lead. That moment came with virtually the last kick of the first-half. 

Zeegelaar was once again involved, delivering a dangerous cross into the box. Yedlin appear to have it covered, but his attempt to knock behind for a corner ended in disaster as he only succeeded in diverting it into his own net. 

After the break, the result was confirmed in the 62nd minute when the ever-impressive Richarlison broke down the left flank and whipped in a cross for Gray, who neatly tucked the ball home to make it 3-0. 

There were some later signs of life from Newcastle, but the damage had been done and, ultimately, were taught a stern lesson in making the most of the chances that are presented to you.