Rotherham 1-4 Watford: Hornets continue automatic promotion form at struggling Millers
- Published
Francisco Sierralta (far left) headed in Watford's first goal in a commanding display at Rotherham
Watford strengthened their grip on second place in the Championship as they scored four goals against relegation-threatened Rotherham.
Francisco Sierralta gave the Hornets the lead with an early header, before Ismaila Sarr's instinctive finish and Ken Sema's volley put them on course for a fourth successive win before half-time.
Rotherham saw a Michael Smith penalty saved by Daniel Bachmann early in the second half before Freddie Ladapo gave the hosts hope of a comeback with a superb solo run and strike.
But that proved to be short-lived as substitute Dan Gosling netted Watford's fourth from the restart as he swept in the rebound after Andre Gray's shot was saved by Jamal Blackman.
Watford have won eight of their past nine matches while Rotherham's first return to action in 13 days, after having to postpone their past three fixtures because of a coronavirus outbreak, left them still third from bottom.
The Millers, whose manager Paul Warne was also absent from the touchline while he continues to self-isolate as a result of the three cases recorded, have won just once in their past seven games.
Watford's hold on second place, meanwhile, was boosted as fellow promotion contenders Swansea City lost at Bournemouth and Brentford were held to a draw at Derby County.
Xisco Munoz's side started quickly at the New York Stadium, with Sierralta making amends for an own goal he netted at Cardiff on Saturday by heading in at the right end from Philip Zinckernagel's cross.
Sarr doubled the lead midway through the first half, reacting quickest to a Nathaniel Chalobah shot that Blackman failed to push away from danger. Rotherham's appeals for offside went unnoticed as Sarr fired into the roof of the net.
Just before the break, Sema put the visitors in command with a neat piece of control on his chest and knee from Zinckernagel's low corner before striking a handsome low volley on his left foot into the bottom right corner.
Rotherham spurned the chance to claw themselves back into the game early in the second half when top-scorer Smith failed to convert from the spot after being fouled by William Troost-Ekong.
Ladapo did find the back of the net though with his second sumptuous strike in as many games from outside the box, but Watford punished their hosts for a fourth time almost straight away.
Midfielder Gosling was presented with a simple finish with his first touch to put the result beyond doubt.
Rotherham United assistant manager Richie Barker told BBC Radio Sheffield:
"It was a very difficult night, but I'm disappointed in the manner of the goals and disappointed to concede from second phases of set play.
"But in terms of the difficulty of the past two weeks, the fact that we've even got the game ahead and played it and the players gave everything that they've got, we could've come away with something had chances fallen for us at one stage.
"We knew how Watford would play, but everything just felt a bit alien tonight. It's been a long period of time without the lads being able to train properly.
"Getting the game completed and getting some minutes into people is one thing tonight and we just have to move on and we'll have to move on quickly."
Watford manager Xisco Munoz:
"We are building something and, while I was happy with this game and it was an amazing performance, we can still perform better.
"We had situations in the game where we weren't in control and you have to deal with different styles of play in the Championship.
"We also scored four goals, but could have had more and we've got to continue with our hard work through the week in training, because we are very ambitious."