Steve Bruce’s side trailed to Will Hughes’ strike inside the opening 90 seconds and took their time to recover, but equalised through defender Fabian Schär shortly before the interval.
And, for much of the second half, the Magpies were in the ascendancy, with Isaac Hayden’s piledriver tipped over the crossbar by a despairing Ben Foster and Christian Atsu coming within a whisker of converting Willems’ enticing low cross.
Following a lacklustre showing against Norwich City a fortnight ago, United’s Dutch wing back believes he and his teammates have steadied the ship after amassing four points from their last two outings, a tally they could easily have added to had they made the most of their opportunities against the Hornets after the break.
“I think we should have won it,” Willems told nufc.co.uk. “It’s unlucky, because we had some chances, and they didn’t create something – it was an unlucky goal. It was early in the game, but we tied it. And after, I think we showed them that we were better, even on the counter attack. They were only defending – they only played long balls. We should win this one, and then we are in a great position.
“We have had some progress. I think if you saw the first game, it was a miscommunication and we lost. But in the first half, I think we were better. Against Norwich, it was something that can happen. And after, against Tottenham, we were in shape. And now we keep going and we are in a good shape.”
Saturday’s clash marked Willems’ first start for the Magpies in the Premier League, though he did play the first 78 minutes of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup defeat to Leicester City.
With Matt Ritchie injured, the 25-year-old took over the Scot’s position on the left of a five-man backline – a role he told nufc.co.uk he relished.
“Of course, of course. I am not 100 per cent fit yet because my last (full game) was last season, and I want to show more. But for the time (being), I’m satisfied,” he said. “I’m trying to do my best, that’s the only thing I want. And to give the fans what they deserve, and what they come for. I want to show myself also, but it’s my job – I’m just doing my job.”
The Magpies now head into the first international break of the season before travelling to Liverpool in two weeks’ time, an interval which, for Willems, will be a welcome one.
“For me, it’s the right time to get some rest and organise my things, because I’m new here and it was a little bit (chaotic)!” he laughed. “I came from the training camp of my old club (Eintracht Frankfurt), then came here and I couldn’t go back. So, for me, it’s a good and right time.”
