NEWCASTLE finally claimed their first win of the season as Ayoze Perez’s second-half header secured a 1-0 victory over Watford.

Perez glanced home Ki Yung-sueng’s driven free-kick as the Magpies climbed to the 17th position in the table - what were the main talking points to emerge from the St James’ Park success?


THE KI TO THE MAGPIES MIDFIELD

Ki Sung-yueng has suffered a difficult start to his Newcastle career. By his own admission, there were times when the South Korean wondered if Rafael Benitez did not rate him. On this evidence, however, he could prove a crucial addition to the Magpies’ midfield mix.

Jonjo Shelvey can unlock an opposition defence with his long-range passing, but he can also be wasteful, looking to offload the ball as quickly as possible. Ki has different priorities, looking to retain possession whenever possible in order to patiently build an attack.

The ball had been like a hot potato for Newcastle in the first half of Saturday’s game, but things changed when Ki came on. Suddenly, it was Watford’s players chasing around trying to win back possession, and the former Swansea midfielder has given Benitez something to ponder.


RONDON’S RETURN

Salomon Rondon’s only chance came late in the game, and saw him fail to find the target with a header from Kenedy’s left-wing cross. However, his return still helped Newcastle shift the focus of their attack.

The Venezuelan is much more of a target man than either Yoshinori Muto or Ayoze Perez, and his presence enabled Newcastle’s defenders to alleviate pressure by firing long balls upfield.

Quite a few of them failed to stick, but that was in part a result of Rondon’s understandable lack of match sharpness. As he improves, so his ability to bring other players into the game should increase. As a result, it is easy to see why Benitez wants him in the team.


WATFORD’S ATTACKING VERVE

They might have travelled back to Hertfordshire without any points, but Watford’s attacking performance in the first half was excellent, highlighting just why Javi Gracia’s side have made such an impressive start to the season.

The Hornets’ attacking interplay was especially effective, with their front three of Roberto Pereyra, Isaac Success and Gerard Deulofeu regularly switching positions as they alternated in the central attacking role.

Newcastle’s centre-halves found them extremely hard to mark – especially in the first half – and on another day, the visitors could have been out of sight before half-time. With the athletic Abdoulaye Doucoure holding things together at the heart of midfield, there is no reason why Watford cannot sustain their strong start to claim a top-half finish.


A WELCOME SHOW OF SUPPORT

Prior to kick-off, there were fears that a section of the Newcastle support could turn against Jamaal Lascelles following his midweek show of support for Mike Ashley. Those fears proved unfounded, with Lascelles’ name cheered to the rafters when it was announced prior to kick-off, and his flag still proudly fluttering on the Gallowgate End.

The home fans were understandably subdued as Watford dominated the first half, but they grew in volume markedly in the second period and celebrated the final whistle with an outpouring of emotion that has not been seen for quite some time.

Benitez called for unity prior to kick-off, and that is exactly what he got. Even Ashley, once again watching from his seat in the directors’ box, finished with a smile on his face.


A PRE-MATCH APPLAUSE

Finally, a bit of a moan. Prior to kick-off, there was meant to be a minute’s silence to pay respect to Leicester owner, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, who was tragically killed in a helicopter crash.

Referee Craig Pawson blew his whistle, but within five or six seconds, a wave of applause began to ripple around the stands.

Replacing the traditional minute’s silence with applause has become something of a trend in the last few years. On Saturday, though, clapping felt inappropriate. Is it really so hard to stay completely silent?