Heurelho Gomes to Watford's rescue. Gareth McAuley's header from a James McClean free-kick is palmed over superbly by the Hornets keeper. It might have been striking the bar by Gomes didn't know that.

Image source, Reuters

It is like attack v defence drills at Old Trafford. Problem is, the team doing all the defending and offering zero in the opposition half trail 1-0. It appears that Villa are content to surrender their Premier League spot in a very tame fashion.

Back up the other end...Newcastle have a free-kick in a dangerous spot on the right. Andros Townsend swings it in...Papiss Cisse nicks a touch with his bonce...Swans keeper Lukasz Fabianski easily gathers.

Image source, AP

The Swansea players are keen. The visitors were out - presumably with Francesco Guidolin's words still ringing in their ears - long before their opponents. The Swansea fans, however, aren't so keen...most of them appear to still be downstairs indulging in the local Tyneside ale and pie selection.

And they would have missed cult hero Angel Rangel come close(ish) to scoring his first goal in three years. The Spanish right-back heads wide after a cross loops over the entire home defence to the far post.

Image source, Reuters

A much faster start to the second half from Man Utd as Juan Mata finds Marcus Rashford in the box and his poked finish dribbles just past the post.

Dagenham and Redbridge's 10-year stay in the Football League looks to be coming to an end as they trail Leyton Orient 2-0 and Stevenage lead Newport 2-0, results which confirm Dagenham's relegation.

Leaders Northampton are currently drawing 0-0 at Exeter, but other results at Oxford and Accrington mean The Cobblers will seal the League Two title today as it stands.

Bristol Rovers have moved into the automatic promotion places after taking the lead against Yeovil just before half-time.

We are back under way in the Premier League.

Leaders Wigan lead against third-bottom Doncaster thanks to a goal from Will Grigg just before the break.

Millwall are up to third as it stands as they lead Coventry 1-0 and Wallsall and Bradford are currently drawing against Southend and Shrewsbury.

At the bottom, Colchester, Doncaster and Blackpool are above already relegated Crewe in the relegation zone and are all currently losing.

Everton were struggling to get out of their half judging by the average position of both side's players...

Image source, .

Steve Stone
Former Newcastle coach and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

"Newcastle have been the better team, got themselves into a nice shape and they deserve the lead. Benitez is trying to get their back four out a bit, and the second half will be a balancing act – they will sit a bit deeper as it goes on. The crowd will get edgy – it’s natural."

Not the prettiest game at St James', according to our MOTD man. No-one of a black-and-white persuasion will be bothered...

There was an intensity to Newcastle's play in the first half. They covered 57km as a team compared to 53.5km by Swansea.

The Magpies sprinted 303 times, Swansea just 215.

Hunger on show? Well they have snaffled the lead. A just about deserved lead.

Image source, .

As it stands, Burnley are leapfrogging Brighton into second place with their 1-0 lead at Birmingham.

Sheffield Wednesday’s one goal lead at home to Ipswich means Cardiff aren’t making ground on them on the fringes of the playoff zone - the Welsh side are goalless at home to QPR.

At the other end, Charlton are 0-0 at home to Derby, MK Dons are losing at Preston 1-0, and Rotherham and Forest, both just above the dropzone, are drawing 0-0.

Everton hang on for dear life. Saints threaten to bag the opener with that final corner of the first half, but centre-back Virgil van Dijk leans back and smashes over the crossbar when the ball drops to him nicely about 15 yards out.

Ref Craig Pawson toots his half-time whistle seconds later, Everton scoot down the tunnel with plenty to discuss over a half-time orange.

So far so good for Rafa Benitez and his troops. Fact.

Image source, PA

Southampton looking the likelier to score at Goodison as we approach the break - and the woodwork has saved Everton! Shane Long springs to the front post to meet a right-wing corner, glancing a header which comes back off the far post. Another corner for the visitors....

Ben Watson's goal the difference in a game of few chances.