Watford defeated Newcastle United 2-1 at Vicarage Road on the weekend.

Quique Sanchez Flores' Hornets ended a losing run of four matches to move up to 10th spot on the table thanks to goals from Odion Ighalo and Craig Cathcart.

Ighalo helped himself to his 14th league goal of the campaign in the first minute of the second half when he raced onto a lovely ball from skipper Troy Deeney before rounding Rob Elliot and slotting home into an empty net.

Watford doubled their advantage 12 minutes later when Deeley's knockdown header was kept alive by Ighalo, allowing Cathcart to fire home a left-footed volley.

Newcastle responded with just under 20 minutes remaining through Jamaal Lascelles, who scored his first-ever Premier League goal when he sprung above the pack to meet Jonjo Shelvey's corner with a nice header the nestled inside Heurelho Gomes' near post.

The victory was welcomed by the Hornets after five matches without securing three points but it heaped more pressure on Newcastle who remained third bottom in the standings.

MATCH OVERVIEW

Watford: 2 (Odion Ighalo 46', Craig Cathcart 58')
Newcastle United: 1 (Jamaal Lascelles 71')
Vicarage Road, Watford - 20,611

TALKING POINTS

- Watford back on track with Ighalo continuing to star this season. Can they perform above expectations and secure a top-half finish?

- A setback for Newcastle after some improved showings but are they doing enough to show they can beat the drop?

WHAT'S NEXT?

Watford head to Nottingham Forest for the fourth round of the FA Cup on the weekend before hosting Chelsea in the league next week.

Newcastle will be desperately searching for a victory when they head to Everton on February 3.

TWITTER INSIGHT

Good to get the victory another goal for @ighalojude another assist for myself great day all round pic.twitter.com/2M86Sh8Zll
— Troy Deeney (@T_Deeney) January 23, 2016

Really tough match but we fought till the end! Well done boys and thanks @watfordfcofficial fans for the support!! pic.twitter.com/hYEtkDekNA
— Nathan Aké (@NathanAke) January 23, 2016

First game since September always an honour. Very disappointed personally, but it will come. Hopefully better result next game #nufc
— Rolando Aarons (@R_Aarons16) January 23, 2016

QUOTES CORNER

Watfordboss Flores on the importance of the win:

"I am really, really happy with the victory and the performance of the players.

"We came off a very bad run, and in terms of the feelings, it is difficult to convince the players it is just a bad run.

"We are in the top half so we have a lot of reasons to be happy and we have to enjoy it."

Newcastle's McClaren was buoyed by his side's showing:

"We just said to the players that we won't have a problem if we keep performing like that every week.

"Many people questioned the attitude of these players earlier this season and whether they cared. Of course they do and you saw that today and in recent weeks. I thought we did everything today but win the game."

STATS SPECIALS
*Thanks to Opta

45:44 - Odion Ighalo's goal was the third quickest second half goal scored in the Premier League so far this season. Refreshed.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 23, 2016

2 - Watford have won both home & away against a single opponent in a Premier League season for the first time. Buzzing.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 23, 2016