Troy Deeney: Watford have turned a corner

Troy Deeney beat Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka with two penalties to seal a Watford win on Saturday
(Image credit: Richard Heathcote/NMC Pool)

Troy Deeney believes Watford have “turned a corner” as their Premier League survival bid was boosted with victory over Newcastle on Saturday.

The Hornets skipper hit two second-half penalties to secure a 2-1 win after Dwight Gayle had given the visitors a half-time lead at Vicarage Road.

It was the second time in four days that Watford had battled from a goal down to take three points, having beaten now-relegated Norwich by the same scoreline.

The back-to-back victories means Nigel Pearson’s side are now looking unlikely to be joining the Canaries in the Sky Bet Championship next season.

But, while Deeney insists the club have addressed their early-season woes, he has called on his team-mates to keep picking up points as they prepare to face West Ham on Friday night.

“We can’t afford to be naive to the situation that we’re in,” he told the club’s official website.

“We’re in a relegation fight, we have been since the start of the season with the poor start that we had, but we’ve turned a corner and it’s in our own hands so we’re relishing that.

“We highlighted the last game (Norwich), this game (Newcastle) and the game on Friday as three must-wins and we’re two out of three so far.

“So we want to keep grinding away and getting better and hopefully that will lead into a better next season.

“I think you can see the change, I think you can see the desire, and that’s what everyone ultimately wants from their football team, and the performances will obviously get better.”

Deeney, who had not scored in six games until his goals saw off Newcastle, claimed he felt more pressure stepping up to the spot on Saturday than he did taking a penalty in last season’s FA Cup semi-final win over Wolves.

His last-minute spot-kick took the tie to extra-time, before Gerard Deulofeu’s effort ensured Watford would go on to the final – where they were ultimately thrashed 6-0 by Manchester City.

“It was probably more pressure than the Wolves one because we know what’s at stake,” added Deeney.

“I actually said to him (Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka) ‘you know where it’s going, don’t move’, but he moved.

“It’s a massive win but we’re ready to go Friday.

“I don’t want to get carried away with it, it’s not ground-breaking stuff but the biggest thing for me and a lot of people at this club is making sure that next season we come back to a Premier League football club when the fans are eventually allowed back in.”

Newcastle boss Steve Bruce fumed at the lack of VAR intervention on either penalty decision by referee Craig Pawson, but Magpies captain Jamal Lascelles said the players need to look at themselves.

“At the time I thought the first one was harsh,” he told NUFC TV. “In the Premier League you can’t be gifting goals away like that so we just need to eradicate them.

“It was just two errors we were not happy with and it has cost us the game…mistakes cost us so we just need to get it right for the next game.”

Latest in
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
'That Alexander-Arnold spoke more with a goal gesture than he did with any other communication to supporters is one of the reasons his move to Real Madrid isn’t being accepted too kindly on Merseyside': How it got to this stage with Liverpool and Trent
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction plenty of sales this summer
When does the summer transfer window open?
Manchester United defender Raphael Varane.
'I won the World Cup and I said to myself, I've done it all, I need to keep feeling emotions': Raphael Varane opens up on why he had to leave 'indescribable' Real Madrid for Manchester United
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Latest in News
Manchester United defender Raphael Varane.
'I won the World Cup and I said to myself, I've done it all, I need to keep feeling emotions': Raphael Varane opens up on why he had to leave 'indescribable' Real Madrid for Manchester United
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report