Troy Deeney's strike in the 39th minute has put Watford back in contention after they looked dead and buried trailing 2-0 to Leeds United as the break approached.
The Whites were quick out of the starting blocks, breaking the deadlock with six minutes on the clock as Billy Sharp capitalised on some slack defending by the Hornets to smash home his fourth goal of the season.
Leeds had the chance to double their lead moments later after a poor clearance gave Lewis Cook a sight of goal, but his effort from distance was snuffed out by Watford stopper Heurelho Gomes.
The hosts added a second in the 19th minute as Rodolph Austin lobbed Gomes with a clever half-volley from just outside of the area.
Watford almost pulled one back on the half hour-mark as chances fell to Juan Carlos Paredes and Matej Vydra in quick succession, but Leeds goalkeeper Marco Silvestri pulled off a fine double save to deny the Hornets.
They went one better as half time approached, with Vydra sliding a pass through to Deeney, allowing the striker to slot the ball beyond Silvestri and give Leeds reason to be concerned ahead of the second period.
Mark Langshaw
