NEWCASTLE claimed their first home point of the season as they played out a 1-1 draw with Watford at St James’ Park.

Fabian Schar cancelled out Will Hughes’ early opener – but what were the main debating points from the game?

VAR-CICAL

Almost a month into the season, and the debates over the use of VAR and the application of the new handball law continue to rage. Both were in evidence on Saturday.

Should Newcastle’s equaliser have been ruled out for a handball by Isaac Hayden in the build-up to Fabian Schar’s strike. Most fans would say no given Hayden’s lack of intent as the ball rolled down his arm, but according to the new regulations, the goal should have been chalked off.

And what about the moment when Miguel Almiron broke clear, only to be flagged off. Everyone stopped, except Almiron, who rounded the goalkeeper to slot home. Had a replay shown he was onside, would the goal have stood even though Watford’s defenders stopped in their tracks as soon as the flag went up?

ENGLAND OPTIONS IN THE MAGPIES MIDFIELD

Gareth Southgate is always bemoaning the lack of English players starting in the Premier League, so is it about time he started adding St James’ Park to his match schedule on a much more regular basis?

In Isaac Hayden and Sean Longstaff, Newcastle boast two English central midfielders who have come on in leaps and bounds in the last 12 months.

They are different players, with Hayden tending to sit slightly deeper and Longstaff keener to break forward to link the play, but while Southgate is reasonably well-stocked with central-midfield options, both will surely enter the international reckoning if they remain in Newcastle’s starting side for the remainder of the campaign.

WILLEMS SETTLING IN

Jetro Willems’ Newcastle career hardly got off to the most auspicious of starts. Coming off the bench to make his debut against Arsenal, the Eintracht Franfurt loanee initially took up the wrong position in central midfield. A couple of minutes later, and he dawdled to allow Ashley Maitland-Niles to win possession and set up Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s winner.

Since then, though, the Dutchman has improved markedly. He replaced the injured Matt Ritchie to decent effect in the Carabao Cup defeat to Leicester City, and performed solidly once again as he lined up on the left of a back five at the weekend.

His pace and energy add something to Newcastle’s attack, while he performed solidly in defence against a Watford side that are adept at springing counter-attacks. Given that he was purchased on loan, he looks a decent summer acquisition.

MUTED ATMOSPHERE AS FANS STAY AWAY

Saturday’s attendance of 44,157 was the lowest for a Premier League game at St James’ Park since a Monday-night meeting with Wigan Athletic in December 2012.

That suggests the ongoing calls for supporters to boycott in protest at Mike Ashley’s ownership of the club are having an effect, and the lack of atmosphere throughout Saturday’s game also indicates that it is probably the most committed and vocal fans that are staying away.

At its most passionate, St James’ Park can be a daunting place for opposition teams to visit. That was not the case at the weekend though, with the small pocket of Watford fans in the top tier of the Leazes End often making more noise than the home supporters surrounding them.

WATFORD COULD BE IN TROUBLE

Javi Gracia’s Watford team were one of the surprise packages of last season, finishing in 11th position and reaching the FA Cup final, but they have made a dreadful start to the current campaign and look destined for a much more difficult campaign.

Saturday’s draw means they remain rooted to the foot of the table, with one point from their opening four games, and if last season’s results are also considered, they have now picked up just one point from their last available 21.

They threatened sporadically on the counter-attack against Newcastle, but much of the verve and swagger they displayed last season has gone missing.