Watford 3-1 Millwall

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Daniel TozserImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Tozser's free-kick from the edge of the area put Watford in front on the stroke of half-time

Watford moved two points clear at the top of the Championship with victory over Millwall at Vicarage Road.

Millwall had taken an early lead when Scott McDonald played through Martyn Woolford, who turned inside Joel Ekstrand before finishing superbly.

But Matej Vydra bundled home an equaliser before Daniel Tozser blasted in an edge-of-the-area free-kick to put the Hornets in front just on half-time.

Gianni Munari's first-time finish then saw Slavisa Jokanovic's side home.

Serb Jokanovic now has two wins and two draws from the four games since he replaced Billy McKinlay, and Watford have extended their unbeaten run to nine games.

Millwall, though, have only won once in their last 10 matches, but they are still five points above the drop zone in 16th.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Before kick-off at Vicarage Road, the Rookery End of the ground was transformed into a giant poppy as more than 6,000 foils were held aloft

Despite their superior placing in the table, the hosts began sluggishly and fell behind when Woolford knocked in right-footed for his second goal of the season.

But after Juan Carlos Paredes hit a post and Odion Ighalo forced a fine save from Millwall keeper David Forde, Vydra drew the hosts level from a cleverly-worked corner.

Lions forward Ricardo Fuller was booked for his protestations when he had a penalty claim turned down and he would have been more incensed as the hosts went into the break in front when Tozser powered home a free-kick past the keeper's left on the stroke of half-time.

Media caption,

Jokanovic on Watford v Millwall

The Lions were then punished for falling asleep from a free-kick after the break, allowing Vydra to cross for Munari to slot into the bottom corner.

Hornets defender Daniel Pudil was needed to clear Woolford's effort off the line, but the visitors could not force their way back into the match.

Watford head coach Slavisa Jokanovic: "I'm especially happy because we had a very good reaction after the Millwall goal.

"These three points are very important for us. I believe we can improve. We can still play better.

"After Millwall scored the goal, step by step we started improving and we had a good reaction."

Media caption,

Holloway on Watford v Millwall

Millwall manager Ian Holloway: "Eighteen years I've been a manager and that's probably the hardest one I've had to stomach, to be honest.

"I think our football supporters are normally quite right and quite accurate and our fans got it right with the chants they directed towards the referee.

"The second half killed us because we came out, had a good go but we needed that goal.

"How we've lost by two goals, I don't know."

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