Newport County 3-1 Watford
- Published
- comments
Watford made 10 changes to their team from the weekend, while Newport made five
Newport County shocked Championship side Watford to reach the EFL Cup fourth round for the first time.
Tristan Abrahams put Newport ahead from the penalty spot after Toby Stevenson fouled Brandon Cooper, before captain Joss Labadie made it 2-0 from 20 yards.
Adalberto Penaranda's penalty gave Watford hope but Padraig Amond capitalised on Daniel Phillips' mistake to restore the two-goal cushion.
Watford substitute Stipe Perica was sent off late on for elbowing Cooper.
As the Hornets were left to reflect on a miserable night in south Wales, finishing with 10 men and losing to a side who were three divisions below them last season, Newport can look ahead to a home fourth-round tie against Morecambe or Newcastle United.
It is a second Championship scalp of the campaign for County, who beat Swansea 2-0 in the first round thanks to Abrahams' double strike, before overcoming Cambridge United by a single goal in round two.
Newport County manager Michael Flynn:
"I thought it was a fantastic performance. We've outplayed a Championship club who have just come down from the Premier League.
"I can't be any more proud of my players than I already am.
"We moved the ball really well, played some fantastic football and we created a lot of chances. We created far more than what Watford did."