Will Hughes took just 78 seconds to atone for his embarrassing miss on the goalline the previous weekend, slotting home after Tom Cleverley’s shot deflected off a defender into his path.

The goal was the second quickest Watford have ever scored in the Premier League and eased visiting nerves as they sought to avoid their worst start to a season for 85 years.

Newcastle took most of the first half to find any sort of attacking rhythm but equalised just before the breakthrough Fabian Schar, who pounced on a loose ball to beat Ben Foster with a left-foot shot from inside the area.

Both sides could have won it after the break when Joelinton thought he should have been awarded a penalty and Watford substitute Isaac Success was denied by keeper Martin Dubravka.

Gracia, who is under pressure with his side still rooted to the bottom of the table, chose to keep record signing Ismaila Sarr on the bench.