The Hornets got off to the ideal start by taking the lead in the fifth minute through Luca Kjerumgaard but had to wait until the end to make the points safe when substitute Mamadou Doumbia netted the second.
The Watford defence did an excellent job of protecting Egil Selvik’s goal (Image: PA)
The gap to the top six remains three points but the victory did take Watford above some other play-off hopefuls and into ninth place in the table.
Here are five talking points we’ve picked out from today’s victory. Tell us what you think by using the comments facility on this page.
A team performance
From a back four that ensured Egil Selvik did not have a save of note to make, through the terrier-like Papy Mendy in midfield, Edo Kayembe doing plenty of good work to drive his side forward, and Nestory Irankunda almost scoring a memorable solo goal, this was a victory in which all parts of the team contributed to positive effect to ensure the Hornets got back on track.
What was your opinion of Watford’s performance?
Defensive decisions
After surprising almost everyone of a Watford affiliation by selecting four centre-backs in his first game at change, Ed Still reverted to a more conventional looking defensive unit with Jeremy Ngakia fit to return at right-back.
The man to miss out was Mattie Pollock, who dropped to a bench that also included Marc Bola, again having to settle for a substitute’s role as Stephen Mfuni continued at left-back.
What did you make of Still’s defensive selections?
Impressive Abankwah
Still’s defensive choices meant Abankwah was moved inside from right-back to right centre-half and he responded with a fine performance.
The defender more than matched Patrick Agyemang physically, ensuring the American striker had only one attempt on goal in the whole 90 minutes.
How impressed were you by Abankwah’s display?
Baah frustration
Kwadwo Baah may have impressed off the bench at Preston but that wasn’t enough to see him rewarded with a place in the starting XI, with Still opting for Irankunda after his three match ban.
Baah could have been called upon midway through the first half when Othmane Maamma was forced off through injury, but he was again made to be patient as Giorgi Chakvetadze came on instead.
The explosive wide man was eventually given his opportunity in the 67th minute in place of Irankunda, only to be taken off 17 minutes later with an injury.
Do you share Baah’s frustration?
Ed Still’s Yellow Army
That was the chant that rang out from the Rookery at several points during the afternoon as Watford’s new head coach picked up his first victory in English football.
Two games is far too soon to form a reasoned judgement on whether the appointment was the right decision but the early signs are encouraging – four points from those two matches, a team that is organised and structured, playing with togetherness and positivity.
Do you share the early encouragement over the Still era?