Match ends, Leeds United 2, Watford 3.
LeedsLeeds United2WatfordWatford3
Watford fought back from two goals down to earn a thrilling victory at Leeds.
Billy Sharp's tap in and Rodolph Austin's stunning volley gave the hosts an early lead before Troy Deeney's clinical finish reduced the deficit.
After the break Matej Vydra equalised as he rounded off a fine passing move by slotting in Deeney's cross.
The Czech then scored a dramatic winner as he collected Deeney's long pass and fired the ball home after his initial shot was saved by Marco Silvestri.
With Championship leaders Derby and second place Middlesbrough both losing, the win for Slavisa Jokanovic's side sees them move up into third, just a point off the automatic promotion places.
It was a different story inside the opening 20 minutes as United found themselves 2-0 up.
A defensive mix-up between Ikechi Anya and Heurelho Gomes led to the opening goal, as Gomes was forced to save Anya's powerful header back to him, but could only push it to Sharp who slammed in his 150th career strike.
| Free-scoring Watford |
|---|
| Watford are now the highest scorers in all four divisions with 69 goals. Fellow Championship side Bournemouth and League One MK Dons are joint second with 67 league strikes. |
Austin soon doubled the advantage as he controlled the ball with his thigh and then dipped a superb volley over a helpless Gomes.
However, Deeney gave the visitors some hope six minutes before the break as he ran onto Vydra's long ball and slotted past Silvestri for his 14th goal of the season.
Just 20 seconds into the second-half, Austin missed a golden opportunity to extend Leeds' advantage as he shot straight at Gomes and his weak follow-up was cleared off the line by Gabrielle Angella.
The hosts were made to pay as Deeney raced through on goal and squared the ball to Vydra who could not miss.
Vydra could have notched another moments later as struck straight at Silvestri, but he made amends 10 minutes from time with the winner as Watford hit the hosts on the break.
Leeds manager Neil Redfearn:
"Watford are a good side but you can't give good sides opportunities. We didn't play badly, but if you have a boxer on the ropes then you have to finish them off.
"Then, for some reason, we took a step back. They gave us the runaround a little bit and the goals, from our point of view, were too easy."
Watford manager Slavisa Jokanovic:
"It's important my players start believing in themselves. In the end we won another strange game.
"We made some mistakes, gave them many presents and started the second half similarly. We have to control the situation a little bit better.
"We must continue to keep going, working hard and be prepared for what is in front of is.
"I am not thinking about promotion or what is happening in May. I have dreams but it is not time for them."
Line-ups
Leeds
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Silvestri
- 15Wootton
- 3Bamba
- 32Cooper
- 21Taylor
- 7Murphy
- 23L CookBooked at 21mins
- 2ByramSubstituted forCaniat 90+2'minutes
- 4AustinSubstituted forOliveira Tavaresat 74'minutes
- 27MowattSubstituted forAntenucciat 84'minutes
- 8Sharp
Substitutes
- 9Oliveira Tavares
- 10Cani
- 12Berardi
- 13Taylor
- 28Walters
- 33Sloth
- 34Antenucci
Watford
Formation 4-3-1-2
- 1Gomes
- 14ParedesSubstituted forHobanat 90+2'minutes
- 15Cathcart
- 6EkstrandSubstituted forAngellaat 42'minutes
- 21Anya
- 7LayunSubstituted forMunariat 53'minutes
- 23WatsonBooked at 49mins
- 22AbdiBooked at 87mins
- 8Tozser
- 9Deeney
- 20Vydra
Substitutes
- 3Munari
- 4Angella
- 11Forestieri
- 18Pudil
- 30Bond
- 31Hoban
- 47Motta
- Referee:
- Andy Haines
- Attendance:
- 24,705
Match Stats
Home TeamLeedsAway TeamWatford
- Possession
- Home44%
- Away56%
- Shots
- Home11
- Away13
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away6
- Corners
- Home7
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home3
- Away8
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Leeds United 2, Watford 3.
Post update
Attempt missed. Luke Murphy (Leeds United) right footed shot from outside the box is too high following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Leeds United. Conceded by Craig Cathcart.
Post update
Corner, Leeds United. Conceded by Craig Cathcart.
Post update
Foul by Tommy Hoban (Watford).
Post update
Charlie Taylor (Leeds United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Substitution
Substitution, Leeds United. Edgar Cani replaces Sam Byram.
Substitution
Substitution, Watford. Tommy Hoban replaces Juan Carlos Paredes because of an injury.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match Juan Carlos Paredes (Watford) because of an injury.
Post update
Corner, Leeds United. Conceded by Craig Cathcart.
Booking
Almen Abdi (Watford) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Almen Abdi (Watford).
Post update
Lewis Cook (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Leeds United. Mirco Antenucci replaces Alex Mowatt.
Goal!
Goal! Leeds United 2, Watford 3. Matej Vydra (Watford) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal following a fast break.
Post update
Attempt saved. Matej Vydra (Watford) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Troy Deeney with a through ball.
Post update
Attempt missed. Alex Mowatt (Leeds United) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Sam Byram.
Substitution
Substitution, Leeds United. Adryan replaces Rodolph Austin.
