Two goals from Odion Ighalo have given Watford a 2-0 half-time lead over Newcastle United at St James' Park this afternoon.

Watford looked full of confidence from the first minute, and carved out two early opportunities for Ighalo, but both efforts flashed wide of the target.

© Getty Images

The Nigerian forward did not wait long to get his first goal of the match though, and after just nine minutes Ighalo opened the scoring with a strike placed between the legs of Daryl Janmaat.

Newcastle had a great opportunity to equalise moments later, as Moussa Sissoko found Papiss Cisse in a good position, but the striker dragged his effort wide.

The hosts looked to be getting back into the match, as Massadio Haidara picked out Sissoko for an effort on goal, but the French midfielder's effort went narrowly wide.

Ighalo continued to look bright for the visitors though, as the striker tested Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul, before rounding the Dutchman minutes later to score his fourth goal of the season.

© Getty Images

Newcastle missed two opportunities to pull a goal back before the break, as Ayoze Perez fired a shot over the bar from distance, before Florian Thauvin tested Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.