Martins' brace keeps Watford bottom
Saturday, 16 Dec 2006 18:23
Martins has found form for the Magpies
Two second-half goals from Newcastle's Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins overcame Premiership bottom club Watford in a 2-1 win at St James' Park.
A dismal first period saw little attacking invention from either side, but the game came to life with the former Inter Milan forward heading home James Milner's cross four minutes after the restart.
The Hornets' Hameur Bouazza turned in an equaliser from close range, but a precious away point was snatched when Martins pounced on a deflected cross from Damien Duff five minutes from time.
Elsewhere Blackburn Rovers climbed out of the relegation zone with a spirited performance that saw them come back from a goal down to beat Reading 2-1.
James Harper's opener was matched by a goal from South African Benni McCarthy before a rocket from winger David Bentley stole victory with seven minutes left.
Sheffield United's climb away from danger also continued after they ground out a 1-0 win away at Wigan Athletic.
Rob Hulse scored on the stroke of half-time to put the Blades ahead before Paddy Kenny preserved the lead with a series of fine stops in the second period.
The result makes it ten points from the last four games for Neil Warnock's men.