Bolton Wanderers 3-4 Watford

Odion Ighalo opened the scoring for Watford with his 15th goal of the season

A late winner from substitute Troy Deeney gave Watford all three points from a seven-goal thriller at Bolton.

Watford went ahead through Odion Ighalo before goals from Zach Clough and Adam Le Fondre put the hosts 2-1 up.

Almen Abdi's long-range strike drew the Hornets level after the break and they were in front again soon afterwards thanks to Joel Ekstrand's header.

Clough equalised for Bolton but Deeney netted a late winner for Watford, who are now three points off top spot.

Bolton had been unbeaten in their previous nine home league games.

After a bright start from Neil Lennon's side, it was Slavisa Jokanovic's men who took the lead when Ighalo beat David Wheater and slotted a low shot beyond Andy Lonergan.

But Bolton, who had a Le Fondre effort cleared off the line by Ben Watson, rallied to lead at the break.

They levelled through Clough, who turned in Liam Feeney's centre, with Watford appealing for offside against Le Fondre but the former Cardiff striker was deemed not to have been interfering with play.

Feeney then crossed for Le Fondre, who got in front of his marker to stab home at the near post and put the hosts ahead.

After the break, Lonergan twice denied Abdi with terrific saves but there was nothing the Bolton goalkeeper could do about the midfielder's goal from outside the area.

Hornets defender Ekstrand then rose to glance an Abdi cross into the bottom corner, but Bolton quickly replied to level at 3-3 when Feeney once again provided for youngster Clough, who netted his second of the game from 12 yards out.

However, there was still another twist to come, as Watford broke with a swift counter-attack and Ighalo played in substitute Deeney, who fired home his 12th league goal of the season to snatch all three points for the visitors.

The result sees Bolton remain in the bottom half of the table, while Watford now have a four-point cushion between themselves and seventh-placed Brentford.

Watford manager Slavisa Jokanovic:

"It was an incredible game and interesting for supporters but I prefer a game to be more controlled.

"To win some away games it is enough to score one goal but when you have to score four goals to earn three points it is very complicated for us.

"It is nice we score four goals but football is played in two directions. So we must improve in parts of our game, though I must be happy. My team has had a good week with three wins in seven days."

Bolton manager Neil Lennon:

"I have got to get it through to these players that if they are not going to come with us, they are going to have to find employment elsewhere.

"It may sound harsh but that's the reality of football. We did brilliantly to get back to 3-3, we were attacking and five seconds later the ball is in our net.

"It is not good enough at any level. When you get to 3-3 with a couple of minutes left, take the point, see the game out."

Adam Le Fondre had given hosts Bolton a half-time lead with his second goal for the club