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Javi Gracia Defends Heavy Squad Rotation After Watford Held to Home Draw By Newcastle

Javi Gracia has defended his decision to rotate his starting lineup after his Watford side were held to a 1-1 draw by Newcastle at Vicarage Road.

The home side started brightly with Gerard Deulofeu being denied by Martin Dubravka after being played through on goal, and he was soon made to rue his missed opportunity. Matt Ritchie played an inviting ball into the box which Salomon Rondon managed to get his head on the end of, directing it beyond Ben Foster and into the back of the net to give the visitors the lead.

Watford went in desperate search of an equalising goal, however the Hornets found it hard to break down Newcastle's defensive line.