Another welcome breather for Watford as they earn a free-kick 35 yards out. They clip it into the box but Christian Kabasele's tame header is easy for Martin Dubravka.

Goalscorer Andre Gray comes off for Richarlison, whose goal drought is even longer than the one Gray had been on!

It's 26 games since the Brazilian scored...against West Ham in November.

Alistair Bruce-Ball
BBC Radio 5 live

Well that goal was totally out of keeping with the rest of Newcastle's performance so far today - a wonderful first-time pass from Shelvey to release Manquillo on the right hand-side, a deep cross to the far post and a beautifully delicate first-time finish from Perez to get Newcastle back in the game. Where did that come from?

Almost a second goal for Ayoze Perez.

Newcastle win a corner on the left and Jonjo Shelvey plays it low towards the near post, where Perez's flick with the outside of his right boot goes wide off the outside of the post.

Image source, Reuters

Watford are starting to feel the pressure. Jose Holebas is booked for time wasting as the Hornets prepare to take the free-kick.

Jonjo Shelvey picks out Dwight Gayle's run behind the Watford defence but the striker is unable to get it under control and get a shot away before the Hornets recover...and the offside flag then goes up anyway.

Watford earn some respite as Etienne Capoue's 25-yard shot is deflected wide for a corner, which is easily cleared by Newcastle.

Shay Given
Ex-Newcastle goalkeeper on Final Score

Rafa Benitez must have gone round the team at half-time and given them a bit of a rocket up the backside because they weren’t good enough. Good response through Perez.

Another strange substitution as full-back Javier Manquillo, who has been causing problems down the right this half, is replaced by DeAndre Yedlin.

Watford almost concede an own goal as Adrian Mariappa heads Javier Manquillo's right-wing cross towards his own goal but Orestis Karnezis reacts sharply to make a low save.

After suggesting Arsenal have no 'cojones', Troy Deeney has missed penalties against the Gunners and today against Newcastle...

Another change for Watford as Javi Gracia tries to shore things up. Now striker Troy Deeney makes way for defender Adrian Mariappa.

Ayoze Perez nicks the ball past Christian Kabasele on the right wing and the defender brings him down before being shown a yellow card.

The free-kick sees Florian Lejeune put it harmlessly wide at the far post.

And Watford's Javi Gracia makes an immediate change as Roberto Pereyra comes off for Gerard Deulofeu.

Seems a strange one, as Pereyra has made one and scored one, but after all that hard work maybe he's tiring!

A Watford free-kick into the box is headed clear and Roberto Pereyra blazes over from the edge of the box.

Jacob Murphy replaced Matt Ritchie in the starting line-up but has hardly justified his inclusion. He makes way for Ritchie.

It's been a slow start to the second half, with Martin Dubravka just catching a Watford free-kick with ease.

Considering Kenedy has had such a big impact on Newcastle's revival in 2018, the left-sided Chelsea loanee hasn't posed much of a threat so far today.

At half-time Rafa Benitez no doubt told the Magpies to get the Brazilian more involved in the second half.

Newcastle get the second half started at Vicarage Road.