Sunderland 2-0 Watford: Black Cats heap more misery on struggling Hornets
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Niall Huggins' opener was the first senior goal of his career
Sunderland continued their fine form in the Championship as they inflicted a third straight defeat on Watford, a day after boss Valerien Ismael signed a contract extension.
Niall Huggins blasted into the top corner after an excellent run to put the hosts ahead shortly before the break with the first clear-cut chance of the game.
Danny Ballard headed over after an hour for Sunderland, but two minutes later Abdoullah Ba nodded in from close range.
It should have been 3-0 when Adil Aouchiche broke through on goal, but his effort was half-saved by Daniel Bachmann before Ryan Porteous cleared the weakened effort off the line.
Watford's night got worse when teenage substitute Ryan Andrews was sent off for a late challenge on Jack Clarke as the game came to a close.
The win consolidates fourth place for Sunderland, who have won five of their past six matches, while Watford remain a point above the relegation zone after Queens Park Rangers lost at Leeds United.
Both sides had half chances, but neither were able to test the goalkeeper until Huggins' thunderbolt put the Black Cats ahead at the Stadium of Light.
Watford gave the full-back too much space as he cut in from 40 yards before beating a number of players, moving into the box and smashing into the net.
The Hornets almost replied within two minutes, but Giorgi Chakvetadze took too long after being found unmarked at the far post and his shot from relatively close range was deflected into the arms of Anthony Patterson.
Watford started the second half a lot better as Imran Louza and Vakoun Bayo had chances saved, while at the other end Ballard headed a floated free-kick over the bar when he should have hit the target.
But Ba was able to win it after Jobe Bellingham headed Mason Burstow's cross back across goal for his team-mate to put away.
Aouchiche had two good chances to extend the advantage in quick succession when after being denied by Porteous' clearance, Wesley Hoedt's last-ditch tackle stopped the Frenchman.
Ismael - who has seen his side win just twice all season - saw his woes continue as 19-year-old Andrews was sent off for sliding in recklessly on Clarke.
Sunderland head coach Tony Mowbray told BBC Radio Newcastle:
"I'm really delighted for Niall, he's had a tough time in my year or so here with injury.
"You see in training how he can travel with the ball and he's like elastic man almost in the way he can weave in and out of people and he did just that for the goal.
"We did huff and puff again for 40 minutes or so against a really strong, powerful team.
"But sitting here we've got the job done, I was really pleased with the discipline, I thought the centre-backs were amazing tonight.
"It's great that the goals are coming from all over the pitch and we just have to keep going. It was a good performance because they are a threat to any team."
Watford boss Valerien Ismael:
"When you lose games you are not happy. I needed to have clarity with the players in the changing room. I wanted some answers, like why we came from a strong performance where we dominated a game and to this.
"The way we conceded the first goal showed we are not able to do the basics at the moment. That is frustrating.
"Sunderland are a team with a lot of confidence, they have started strong, we had to face that, but we were not good enough.
"I need answers from them and for them to understand they must focus on the game in two days. We needed a lot of time in the dressing room."
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