Sheffield Wednesday 1-4 Watford

WATFORD PRODUCED another superb away result in Yorkshire as they trounced Sheffield Wednesday 4-1.

Despite the resounding victory, the Hornets fell behind to a Michail Antonio goal. Fernando Forestieri equalised before Manuel Almunia stopped Chris Lines` penalty.

Alex Geijo put Watford in front with his first goal for the club before Troy Deeney and Mark Yeates added further well-taken goals.

Gianfranco Zola made four changes to the side held at Blackpool. Marco Cassetti came in for the injured Ikechi Anya, Jonathan Hogg for Cristian Battocchio, Forestieri and Geijo for Deeney and Matej Vydra.

Dave Jones made three changes, Miguel Llera returning from suspension to displace former 'Orn Martin Taylor, Paul Corry came in for Jermaine Johnson and Lines in for Jose Semedo.

After taking an early lead at Blackpool on Saturday it was Watford`s turn to fall behind early on, conceding in just the third minute.

Poor defending from the returning Cassetti allowed Antonio into the penalty area and the former Reading winger notched with ease.

After going behind so quickly, Watford got into their stride and 14 minutes later they manufactured an equaliser.

A quick throw-on from Daniel Pudil found Forestieri who beat his marker before drilling a low shot in at the near-post.

Pudil undid his good work shortly before the half-hour mark when he leant into Jay Bothroyd to hand the Owls a penalty.

After a delay to the spot-kick so that Bothroyd could receive treatment, Manuel Almunia superbly saved Lines` penalty, diving low to his right.

Half-time: 1-1

Half-time saw the introduction of former Hornet`s favourite Taylor, the Ashington-born defender coming on for Anthony Gardner.

Watford started the second period brightly with Cassetti`s cross being met at the near post by Geijo whose flicked header was well pushed round the post by Chris Kirkland.

Referee Tony Bates was injured just before the hour mark and unable to continue, fourth official Tony Harrington came on for the official.

In the 64th minute Watford should have been ahead, Forestieri denied after bursting through, before Joel Ekstrand saw his header cleared off the line for another corner.

The Hornets pressure told just a couple of minutes later when the unmarked Geijo headed Zola`s side into the lead from Yeates` free-kick.

With 15 minutes to play, substitute Deeney grabbed his fourth goal in as many games and killed the contest in the process, pulling a free-kick out the sky and smashing home the third.

With six minutes to play Yeates added a fourth with a stupendous effort, crashing into the top corner from 20 yards from the corner of the penalty area.

Full-time: 1-4

Sheffield Wednesday: Kirkland; Buxton (Johnson), Llera, Gardner(c) (Taylor), Helan; McCabe (Semedo), Lines, Corry, Antonio; Sidibe & Bothroyd.

Subs not used: O'Grady, Mayor, Jones & Bywater (GK).

Watford: Almunia (c); Ekstrand, Hall, Hoban; Cassetti, Yeates (Murray), Hogg, Chalobah, Pudil (Dickinson); Geijo & Forestieri (Deeney).

Sub not used: Vydra, Smith, Battocchio & Bonham (GK).

Attendance: 18 922

Referee: Mr T Bates.

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