They say that a relegation clause is one of the sticking points in the proposed takeover of Newcastle United. On this evidence, you can see why.
No potential buyer would dare take on such a sizeable investment without insuring themselves against this team dropping out of the Premier League.
Rafa Benitez has seen his side lose four on the spin, and in doing so they look like they’ve lost the plot. Everything they stood for during a solid start to the season – discipline, work-ethic and enthusiasm – is now sadly lacking. It has unravelled at an alarming rate.
Watford blew Newcastle away to record a sensational 3-0 win over Rafa Benitez’s men at St James’ Park on Saturday
Will Hughes scored his side’s first goal of the game at St James’ Park as he swept home Marvin Zeegelaar’s cross
The former Derby County man looked on as he saw his effort nestle in the corner to record his second goal in as many games
Hughes silenced St James’ Park and celebrated his opening goal with team-mate Abdoulaye Doucoure
Deandre Yedlin of Newcastle United (second from right) scored an unfortunate own goal to double Watford’s lead
Zeegelaar was a threat throughout on Watford’s left and it was his cross that forced Yedlin to turn the ball into his own net
Watford, it must be said, were brilliant. They identified a weakness in their opponents – namely, right back DeAndre Yedlin – and attacked the American time and time again. And then they attacked him some more.
Hornets boss Marco Silva is a shrewd tactician coveted by managerless Everton, but this was hardly the execution of a masterplan – it was easy.
Watford remain in eighth but are just three points off fourth. If they are looking up then Newcastle are looking down, four points the margin between them and the bottom three.
FACT BOX TITLE
NEWCASTLE (4-4-2): Elliot 5; Yedlin 3, Lejeune 5, Clark 5, Manquillo 4.5; Ritchie 4.5, Shelvey 5, Diame 4.5 (Merino 69, 5), Murphy 5.5 (Perez 77, 5); Joselu 4 (Mitrovic 69, 5), Gayle 5
SUBS UNUSED: Aarons, Mbemba, Darlow, Jesus Gamez
GOALS: None
BOOKED: Shelvey
WATFORD (3-4-3): Gomes 6; Mariappa 6, Kabasele 6.5, Britos 6 (Prodl 52, 6); Femenia 6.5, Cleverley 6.5, Doucoure 7.5, Zeegelaar 8; Hughes 7 (Carrillo 84), Gray 7, Richarlison 7.5 (Pereyra 79, 5)
SUBS UNUSED: Janmaat, Watson, Capoue, Karnezis,
GOALS: Hughes 18, Yedlin OG 45, Gray 62
BOOKED: Zeegelaar, Prodl
REFEREE: Chris Kavanagh 5
ATTENDANCE: 52,188
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- League Two
- Scottish Premiership
- Scottish Div 1
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- Ligue 1
- Serie A
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Richarlison was a constant threat for Watford down the left hand side and created the third goal for team-mate Andre Gray. For more stats and facts, visit our exclusive MATCH ZONE service by clicking here.
It was said that the Magpies were shopping in the bargain bucket this summer when they paid Stoke £5m for Spanish striker Joselu. That, though, is starting to look like too much, even at today’s inflated prices.
He should have ended his five-game barren run inside three minutes when Jacob Murphy pulled back from the left. The result was a fresh-air kick from six yards.
Matt Ritchie went close for the hosts with a low drive rippling the side-netting before Watford took the lead on 19 minutes.
Richarlison found an unmarked Andre Gray in the box who slid and guided the pall past Rob Elliot to make it 3-0
Gray was mobbed by his team-mates who celebrated all-but wrapping up a deserved three points
Watford’s goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes watched on in delight as his team-mates ran riot in the opposition’s half
Yedlin is a product of the modern game – an athlete first, footballer second – and his defensive know-how was brutally exposed here. He was nowhere to be seen as Marvin Zeegelaar scampered free down Watford’s left and drew back for Will Hughes to convert first time from 14 yards.
It was a devastating break and, with Newcastle now chasing a deficit, the visitors were more than happy to play to their undeniable strength – pace and precision on the counter.
Yedlin was again absent when Zeegelaar crossed from the left and Abdoulaye Doucoure somehow prodded wide when unmarked on the edge of the six-yard area.
Florian Lejeune (left) and Jonjo Shelvey were among the deflated Newcastle players as they were blown away
Richarlison was a constant threat down Watford’s left side and delivered the ball to Gray to score his team’s third goal
Marco Silva cut a delighted figure on the touchline as he wildly celebrated Watford’s goals and his side’s performance
Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez was less than impressed with his side’s display and gave instructions from the touchline
Joselu then missed two openings – first hesitancy and then accuracy his undoing – and Watford took advantage when they doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time.
There was no surprise in the source – an attack down Newcastle’s right – and it was the hapless Yedlin who deflected past Rob Elliot when extending a leg to defend Zeegelaar’s centre.
Whatever Benitez told his team during the break had little impact and they emerged for the second half even more bedraggled than the first.
Jacob Murphy proved to be a bright spark for Newcastle while the rest of his team-mates struggled to impress
Many fans left St James’s Park before the end but those who stayed booed the Newcastle players at full time
Both Andre Gray and Richarlison had already spurned one-on-one openings when presented with just Elliot to beat, so the third goal was very much in keeping with the direction of play.
Watford switched the ball to the left – again – and, with Yedlin out of position – again – Richarlison attacked the space and dropped a cross to the far post where Gray slid in to poke home.
Easy. Game over. In fairness, it had been for a long time.