Newcastle United dropped further points away to Watford on Saturday, as Abdoulaye Doucoure found the net late into the second half to heap misery on Rafa Benitez.

The Magpies had stormed into an early lead when on-the-day left-back Matt Ritchie assisted Salamon Rondon’s fifth goal of the campaign, with the Venezuelan finding the net with a powerful header.

Chances after that proved hard to come by for the visitors, who took a combined eight shots but only two found their way towards Ben Foster in an otherwise defensive display for Benitez’s side.

Despite taking a total eight efforts as a side, only three outfield players failed to lash the ball in the general direction of the goal, with Ayoze Perez, Paul Dummett and Federico Fernandez failing to test the Hornets' resolve.

Saturday’s affair was a particularly poor display by Perez, with the attacking midfielder favoured on the right of a four-man line with Ritchie filling in at left-back.

The Spanish and Scottish midfielders have been key to any strong play Newcastle have managed so far this season, with the duo setting a combined 51 key passes over the opening 20 games – Jonjo Shelvey has the third most with 19 in ten outings.

A majority of Perez’s key passes may have gone to waste, with the 25-year-old only holding one assist, but his chance creation has been key to Newcastle harbouring any hope of picking up results.

Against Watford, Ritchie lived up to the task with his assist for Rondon’s opener, but WhoScored statistics show Perez failing to record a single key pass from right midfield, and instead cut a lost figure as play missed him by in favour of Isaac Hayden, who was later hooked in the second half for Jonjo Shelvey.

Perez saw the ball the least of any Newcastle midfielder, with only Fernandez, Jamaal Lascelles and Martin Dubravka actually recording fewer touches. The Spanish midfielder also attempted fewer passes than all Toon starters bar Fernandez.

Playmaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals he often received racist abuse after North London Derbies - Check out the video below...

The lack of service came coupled by the 5 foot 10 creator failing to beat any Watford player with a dribble, but four Hornets were able to make their way around the former Spanish U21 international.

Dropped points at Vicarage Road ensured Newcastle remained close to the relegation zone, and were not helped by Burnley thumping West Ham to move close to safety heading into the New Year.