Vicarage Road Stadium
Football League Championship
(Attendance: 17,120)
Carroll (50)
Colo And Carroll Secure Watford Win
WATFORD 1
NEWCASTLE UNITED 2
Coca-Cola Championship
Vicarage Road
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Kick off 3pm
Craig Hope reports from Vicarage Road ...
FULL-TIME SUMMARY
NEWCASTLE United survived a late scare to claim their first away victory since before Christmas and move six points clear at the top of the Championship.
The Magpies were made to sweat during the final three minutes of injury-time as substitute Will Hoskins sparked hope of an unlikely comeback when he smashed home from close range after a deflected shot had ran kindly into his path.
United had taken the lead in the fourth minute when a combination of Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll helped to turn Danny Guthrie's free-kick onto the head of Fabricio Coloccini who nodded into the bottom corner from just three yards out.
Carroll then doubled the advantage five minutes after the break when he rose at the near post to head Danny Guthrie's corner beyond Scott Loach.
Hoskins late strike renewed Hornets hope but the visitors held on to claim a deserved three points.
SECOND-HALF UPDATES (click refresh for latest)
Full-time: Watford 1 United 2
90+3min - United are hanging on but just seconds remain.
90+1min - WATFORD GOAL (1-2): A deflected shot cannons into the path of Will Hoskins and the Watford sub is left with the simplest of tasks in blasting home from close range.
89min - Fabrice Pancrate enters the fray with Danny Guthrie making way.
87min - Ryan Taylor replaces Jonas Gutierrez - can the Scouser grab a goal from the bench for a third successive game?
83min - United are just playing this one out and are in firm control.
79min - Watford are commiting bodies forward - there's a chance United could nick another on the break.
75min - A hopeful chant of "This pitch is unplayable" rings out from the home fans.
74min - Nile Ranger replaces Leon Best.
72min - A swirling rain is now lashing down here at Vicarage Road.
66min - West Brom have equalised at home to Derby, Forest are trailing by a goal to nil to Leicester City.
63min - Williamson slides to snuff out the danger at the expense of a corner from Danny Graham's near-post cross. Harley's swirling flag-kick causes problems but, when the ball drops, Danny Guthrie doesn't need a second invitation in swiping clear.
61min - Steve Harper does well to claw away Don Cowie's centre with yellow shirts arriving at speed in a bid to turn on goal.
60min - Derby are winning at West Brom meaning United are currently nine points clear of The Baggies.
58min - Mike Williamson has taken a fair bit of stick from the home fans today but he has been a colossus at the back for The Magpies.
54min - Steve Harper thumps a clearance downfield and, when the ball carries into the Watford danger zone, Scott Loach is forced to abandon the comfort of his six-yard area to come and claim from the heads of Carroll and Best who had given chase to the long punt.
50min - NEWCASTLE GOAL (0-2): United again strike early in the half as, from Danny Guthrie's in-swinging corner, Andy Carroll towers at the near post to plant a firm header into the back of the Hornets net for his 11th of the season.
48min - Alan Smith is booked for a stiff challenge which leaves Henri Lansbury in a heap.
47min - Watford come hurtling out of the blocks but an early corner is dealt with by the head of Mike Williamson.
There's no changes at the break for either side as Watford restart play.
FIRST-HALF UPDATES
Half-time: Watford 0 United 1
45+2min - Watford win the game's first corner but Cowie's high delivery drifts away for a goal-kick.
There will be three minutes added time.
44min - And no sooner is Anthony Bates' yellow card back in his pocket than it is out once more; this time flashed in the direction of Henri Lansbury after a late clip inside the United half.
43min - Jon Harley becomes the fourth man to see yellow when he slides to topple Leon Best on the left wing.
39min - The pitch, which is also used by Rugby Union side Saracens, is really starting to cut up in the centre of the field.
35min - Jonas Gutierrez carries forward from halfway and surveys his options; the best of which is the front-running Leon Best. The Argentine tries to locate the dash of his team-mate but the pass is intercepted by DeMerit and Watford clear.
30min - Those earlier showers have now made way for bright sunshine here in Hertfordshire with half of the pitch now illuminated by a low, winter sun.
26min - United have Danny Simpson to thank for preserving their lead as he reads the unfolding danger to cover and head clear Danny Graham's right-wing centre which had been headed for the brow of the unmarked Helguson just six yards from goal.
25min - Former Watford defender Mike Williamson quickly follows Best into the referee's notebook for a shove on Heidar Helguson.
23min - Leon Best is booked when his studs connect with the shin of Jay DeMerit midway inside the Watford half.
20min - Andy Carroll gets on the end of Jonas Gutierrez's left-wing cross and is unlucky when his 12-yard stab bounces wide with Scott Loach scrambling to get there.
17min - Heidar Helguson lets his frustrations get the better of him as he chops Coloccini by the right-hand corner-flag and duly enters the book.
13min - Gutierrez is causing the home side problems down the left flank and again he is left in a heap on the heavy turf after a challenge from Eustace. van Aanholt lifts high into the area but it is the gloves of Scott Loach which claim on the penalty spot.
7min - There's a smattering of rain beginning to fall on what could become a bog of a playing surface.
4min - NEWCASTLE GOAL (0-1): Jonas Gutierrez is upended by Adrian Mariappa on the left-hand touchline and United have a free-kick. Danny Guthrie whips into the area and, following a trio of headers, the visitors take the lead; Kevin Nolan's flick turned back across goal by Andy Carroll for Fabricio Coloccini to nod into the bottom corner from just three yards out for his second of the season.
3min - Jon Harley stings the palms of Steve Harper with a thunderous strike from 20 yards, the Toon stopper patting up in the air before gathering.
30secs - The hosts are soon on the offensive and Don Cowie, storming onto Danny Graham's pullback, curls high and wide of Steve Harper's goal from just inside the area - there's a strong wind here inside Vicarage Road and that effort certainly caught the breeze as it drifted into the stand behind the goal.
It is the visitors who get us started defending the end where the 2,500 travelling fans are gathered.
Three stands of the ground are virtually full but the old East Stand, in which just the press and team dugouts are housed, is vacant due to ongoing building work. Watford and United emerge from the tunnel beneath us with the visitors kitted in black-and-white shirts, white shorts and white socks.
TEAM NEWS
PETER Lovenkrands' absence forces Chris Hughton into one change with Leon Best a direct replacement for the Danish forward who misses out with an upper-leg problem.
That is the only change from the side which beat Preston last weekend, with Wayne Routledge (calf) and Jose Enrique (hamstring) still sidelined.
Nicky Butt returned to full training this week after a thigh layoff, but today's game comes too soon for the skipper.
Watford include two boyhood Newcastle fans; Cramlington-born Martin Taylor and Gateshead lad Danny Graham, while former Redheugh Boys Club striker Liam Henderson is named on the bench.
TEAMS
WFC: Scott Loach, Adrian Mariappa, Jay DeMerit (c), Martin Taylor, Lloyd Doyley, Don Cowie, Henri Lansbury, John Eustace, Jon Harley, Heidar Helguson, Danny Graham
Subs: Stephen McGinn, Ross Jenkins, Richard Lee, Will Hoskins, Liam Henderson, Michael Bryan, Lee Hodson
NUFC: Steve Harper, Danny Simpson, Fabricio Coloccini, Mike Williamson, Patrick van Aanholt, Danny Guthrie, Alan Smith (c), Kevin Nolan, Jonas Gutierrez, Leon Best, Andy Carroll
Subs: Tim Krul, Tamas Kadar, Fitz Hall, Ryan Taylor, Nile Ranger, Fabrice Pancrate, Ryan Donaldson
Attendance: 17, 120
Referee: Anthony Bates
Shot by Heidar Helguson(Watford) right-footed from left channel (20 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Steve Harper(Newcastle).
Goal by Will Hoskins(Watford) right-footed (low centre of goal) from left side of six-yard box (6 yards).Watford 1-2 Newcastle.
Foul by Nile Ranger(Newcastle) on Heidar Helguson(Watford). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Henri Lansbury(Watford) from own half, resulting in open play. Patrick Van Aanholt(Newcastle) booked for dissent.
Newcastle substitution: Danny Guthrie replaced by Fabrice Pancrate (tactical).
Handball by Nile Ranger(Newcastle). Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Scott Loach(Watford) from own half, resulting in open play.
Newcastle substitution: Jonas Gutierrez replaced by Ryan Taylor (tactical).
Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Henri Lansbury(Watford) to out of play, resulting in ball out of play. Goal kick taken long by Steve Harper(Newcastle).
Cross by Adrian Mariappa(Watford), clearance by Mike Williamson(Newcastle).
Danny Graham(Watford) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Steve Harper(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Watford substitution: Don Cowie replaced by Stephen McGinn (injury).
Foul by Jon Harley(Watford) on Danny Guthrie(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Danny Simpson(Newcastle) from left wing, resulting in open play. Watford substitution: Jon Harley replaced by Will Hoskins (tactical).
Heidar Helguson(Watford) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Steve Harper(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Patrick Van Aanholt(Newcastle) on Jon Harley(Watford). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Don Cowie(Watford) from left wing, resulting in open play.
Newcastle substitution: Leon Best replaced by Nile Ranger (tactical).
Cross by Adrian Mariappa(Watford), resulting in open play.
Foul by Alan Smith(Newcastle) on Don Cowie(Watford). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Don Cowie(Watford) from own half, passed.
Danny Graham(Watford) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Steve Harper(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Don Cowie(Watford) to centre, shot by Don Cowie(Watford) right-footed from right side of penalty area (18 yards), clearance by Alan Smith(Newcastle). Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Jon Harley(Watford) to centre, clearance by Danny Guthrie(Newcastle).
Cross by Danny Graham(Watford), clearance by Mike Williamson(Newcastle).
Cross by Don Cowie(Watford), save (parried) by Steve Harper(Newcastle).
Foul by Alan Smith(Newcastle) on John Eustace(Watford). Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Scott Loach(Watford) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Andrew Carroll(Newcastle) on John Eustace(Watford). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Scott Loach(Watford) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Don Cowie(Watford) on Mike Williamson(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Mike Williamson(Newcastle) from own half, passed.
Andrew Carroll(Newcastle) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Scott Loach(Watford) from own half, resulting in open play.
Danny Graham(Watford) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Steve Harper(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Alan Smith(Newcastle) on Lloyd Doyley(Watford). Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Jay DeMerit(Watford) from left channel, resulting in open play.
Heidar Helguson(Watford) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Steve Harper(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Danny Guthrie(Newcastle) to near post, headed goal by Andrew Carroll(Newcastle) (top-left of goal) from left side of six-yard box (6 yards).Watford 0-2 Newcastle. Assist (cross) by Danny Guthrie(Newcastle) from left by-line.
Foul by Alan Smith(Newcastle) on Henri Lansbury(Watford). Alan Smith(Newcastle) booked for unsporting behaviour. Free kick crossed right-footed by Don Cowie(Watford) from left channel, clearance by Andrew Carroll(Newcastle).
Inswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Don Cowie(Watford) to far post, clearance by Mike Williamson(Newcastle).
Foul by Kevin Nolan(Newcastle) on Heidar Helguson(Watford). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Jon Harley(Watford) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Adrian Mariappa(Watford), resulting in ball out of play.
Handball by Danny Guthrie(Newcastle). Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Henri Lansbury(Watford) from right channel, resulting in open play.
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Don Cowie(Watford) to far post, resulting in ball out of play. Goal kick taken long by Steve Harper(Newcastle).
Cross by Jon Harley(Watford), clearance by Mike Williamson(Newcastle).
Foul by Kevin Nolan(Newcastle) on Henri Lansbury(Watford). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Jay DeMerit(Watford) from own half, resulting in open play. Kevin Nolan(Newcastle) booked for unsporting behaviour.
Foul by Jon Harley(Watford) on Andrew Carroll(Newcastle). Jon Harley(Watford) booked for unsporting behaviour. Free kick crossed right-footed by Danny Guthrie(Newcastle) from right channel, clearance by Martin Taylor(Watford).
Foul by Alan Smith(Newcastle) on Adrian Mariappa(Watford). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Martin Taylor(Watford) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Adrian Mariappa(Watford), clearance by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Cross by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle), header by Andrew Carroll(Newcastle) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Scott Loach(Watford).
Danny Graham(Watford) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Steve Harper(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Martin Taylor(Watford) on Alan Smith(Newcastle). Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Steve Harper(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Adrian Mariappa(Watford), clearance by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Foul by Henri Lansbury(Watford) on Danny Guthrie(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Danny Simpson(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Danny Simpson(Newcastle), clearance by Jay DeMerit(Watford).
Foul by Jon Harley(Watford) on Danny Guthrie(Newcastle). Free kick crossed right-footed by Danny Guthrie(Newcastle) from right channel, clearance by John Eustace(Watford).
Attacking throw-in by Jon Harley(Watford).Cross by Henri Lansbury(Watford), save (caught) by Steve Harper(Newcastle).
Heidar Helguson(Watford) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Steve Harper(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Danny Graham(Watford), clearance by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Foul by Mike Williamson(Newcastle) on Heidar Helguson(Watford). Mike Williamson(Newcastle) booked for unsporting behaviour. Free kick crossed left-footed by Jon Harley(Watford) from right channel, save (caught) by Steve Harper(Newcastle).
Foul by Leon Best(Newcastle) on Jay DeMerit(Watford). Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Scott Loach(Watford) from own half, resulting in open play. Leon Best(Newcastle) booked for unsporting behaviour.
Shot by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle) right-footed from left side of penalty area (18 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Scott Loach(Watford).
Cross by Jon Harley(Watford), save (caught) by Steve Harper(Newcastle).
Andrew Carroll(Newcastle) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Scott Loach(Watford) from own half, resulting in open play.
Don Cowie(Watford) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Steve Harper(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Heidar Helguson(Watford) on Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle). Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play. Heidar Helguson(Watford) booked for unsporting behaviour.
Foul by Don Cowie(Watford) on Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle). Free kick crossed left-footed by Patrick Van Aanholt(Newcastle) from left wing, save (caught) by Scott Loach(Watford).
Foul by Heidar Helguson(Watford) on Danny Guthrie(Newcastle). Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Steve Harper(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by John Eustace(Watford) on Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle). Free kick crossed right-footed by Danny Guthrie(Newcastle) from right channel, clearance by Jay DeMerit(Watford).
Foul by Don Cowie(Watford) on Alan Smith(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Danny Guthrie(Newcastle) from left wing, headed goal by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) (bottom-left of goal) from left side of six-yard box (6 yards).Watford 0-1 Newcastle. Assist (header) by Andrew Carroll(Newcastle) from right side of six-yard box.
Shot by Jon Harley(Watford) right-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), save (parried) by Steve Harper(Newcastle).
Danny Graham(Watford) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Shot by Don Cowie(Watford) right-footed from right channel (20 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Steve Harper(Newcastle).