Watford 2-0 Middlesbrough

Troy Deeney is eighth in the list of Watford's all-time top goalscorers

Troy Deeney became the first Watford player to score 20 goals in three successive seasons as Middlesbrough lost their place at the Championship summit.

Captain Deeney, 26, finished from a narrow angle after controlling Adlene Guedioura's cross from deep.

Strike partner Odion Ighalo made it 2-0 with a left-foot drive from 18 yards.

Guedioura came close to adding a third but his volley was well saved by Dimi Konstantopoulos.

The win took Watford top of the table temporarily but they were displaced themselves by new leaders Bournemouth, who beat Birmingham, and Norwich, who defeated Sheffield Wednesday.

Boro started the day as leaders and were seeking a victory that would have put them four points clear at the top - temporarily at least - but managed just two shots on target.

Aitor Karanka's team have the best defence in the Championship but had two new faces in the back four with loan signings Dwight Tiendalli and Fernando Amorebieta making their debuts.

Wing-back Ikechi Anya capitalised on a slip from full-back Tiendalli to force Konstantopoulos into a smart stop after exchanging passes with Odion Ighalo on the edge of the area.

After five goals in the previous six meetings against them, Middlesbrough should have been well aware of Deeney's potency but some poor defending allowed the striker to give Watford the lead.

Jonathan Woodgate misjudged Guedioura's cross from deep and Deeney brought the ball under control at the back post before beating Konstantopoulos from a tight angle.

Deeney, who moved to Vicarage Road from Walsall in 2010, has now scored 80 goals for Watford.

His exploits this season have been supported by strike partner Ighalo and the Nigerian scored his 19th of the season to double the hosts' advantage.

Only Bournemouth have scored more Championship goals than Slavisa Jokanovic's side and they were rewarded for maintaining their attacking approach after Middlesbrough had dominated possession at the start of the second half.

Ben Watson won possession close to the left touchline and played the ball infield to Ighalo. The striker checked on to his left foot and fired into the top corner from the edge of the area, despite Konstantopoulos getting a hand to the ball.

Guedioura came close to adding a third for Watford but saw his dipping volley spectacularly saved by Konstantopoulos in the closing stages.

Watford boss Slavisa Jokanovic:

"I must be happy. It's a good result for us. We played a very good game today and, like always, I will try to prepare for what is in front of us.

"I think my team played a very good game against a strong team like Middlesbrough. We stopped them and we found the space to start to play the football we strive for. We attacked very well and we defended very well and in my opinion we made one completely good game."

"We played tactically very good football. We interpreted our situation very well, when to defend all together and when to choose the moment to attack, and how we're going to attack. I must be happy because my players understand what we expect."

Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka:

"It's frustrating because we played against a team which is in our same position but after the game you can feel and you can see the difference in both teams.

"We didn't play well because we played against a team which, without a lot of chances, scored two goals and that's the difference when you have three strikers who have scored more than 50 goals in a season.

"We knew it was going to be a difficult game but after this game I told the players we are having a miracle. To play against teams like Watford, Bournemouth, who have been working with the same manager for four or five years, against Norwich players who were Premier League last season, we are doing amazing."

Watford have won seven of their last nine games at Vicarage Road

Middlesbrough have won just one away match since 10 February