Watford vs Newcastle match report: Odion Ighalo and Craig Cathcart on target as Hornets end winless run

Watford 2 Newcastle United 1

(Getty Images)

Watford ended their four-game losing streak in the Premier League with a much-needed 2-1 victory over Newcastle United at Vicarage Road.

Odion Ighalo scored the opening goal of the game just 44 seconds into the second half before Craig Cathcart doubled the home side’s lead shortly before the hour mark.

Jamaal Lascelles pulled one back for the visitors, but the defeat for the Magpies sees Steve McClaren’s side remain in the relegation places while Watford move up to 10th.

The first half ended on a dreary note, with few chances for either team, however, the second period was a different story altogether.

Odion Ighalo rounds the keeper to score his first goal in 2016 (Getty Images)

Under a minute had gone when Etienne Capoue dinked a ball over the top of Newcastle’s static defence and Ighalo had only Rob Elliot to beat. The Nigerian made no mistake as he rounded the goalkeeper and side-footed home into an empty net.

Replays suggested Ighalo, now with 14 goals to his name this term, may have been offside, but neither the home fans were not complaining.

Craig Cathcart celebrates after scoring the second (Getty Images)

Watford were in command and moments after Valon Behrami was booked for being adjudged to have dived in the penalty area, the home side doubled their advantage. Newcastle failed to deal with a corner and the ball fell to Cathcart who fired home from close range shortly before the hour mark.

It did not look as though it would be Newcastle’s afternoon, but suddenly they were handed a lifeline when Lascelles out-jumped Miguel Britos to head home Jonjo Shelvey’s corner with 19 minutes of the match remaining.

Newcastle substitute Ayoze Perez was then played through by Georginio Wijnaldum but fired his shot over. At the other end Ighalo twisted one way and the other before his fierce shot was well saved by Elliot.