Jamie Allen's goal was his first for Coventry since May 2024
Coventry City cemented top spot in the Championship and further enhanced their status as English football's most potent attacking force with a 3-1 home victory over Watford.
Two goals inside seven minutes for Frank Lampard's Sky Blues, from Brandon Thomas-Asante and Jamie Allen, put them in control of an entertaining match early on.
A third from Tatsuhiro Sakamoto and a red card for Watford's James Abankwah before half-time effectively put the game to bed.
The visitors did pull one back from the penalty spot on 68 minutes via Imran Louza but Coventry coasted to a sixth win on the trot to extend their lead to four points at the top of the table before the afternoon kick-offs.
Lampard's side have been red hot in front of goal this season, hitting the net 34 times in a dozen league games.
And those in sky blue gathered at the Coventry Building Society Arena did not have to wait too long for the streak to continue with Thomas-Asante bagging his ninth league goal of the season after just three minutes.
Sakamoto provided the assist with a nicely floated ball in from the right flank and Thomas-Asante timed his jump perfectly to glance the ball past Egil Selvik in the Watford goal.
Allen, in for Victor Torp who was out with a calf strain, then capitalised on a poor headed clearance to hammer home a low shot from the edge of the area to quickly double the lead.
Sakamoto added Coventry's third on 42 minutes, pouncing on a miscued header from Abankwah and firing home from the edge of the area.
The defender then compounded his error when he was sent off for a last-man foul on Haji Wright two minutes later and the red card created a mountain that Watford never looked likely to scale in the second period.
For all Coventry's dazzling form at the sharp end of the pitch, Lampard will take equal pleasure in their solid defensive record. Louza's penalty after Carl Rushworth felled Vivaldo Semedo was only the second goal conceded in their past six league wins.
For the visitors there was plenty to take away despite defeat.
In the first half alone, the Hornets might have had four goals of their own with Rushworth outstanding in the Coventry goal.
The Sky Blues goalkeeper produced three stops one-on-one to deny Rocco Vata and a sharp save to tip an effort from Louza around the post to emerge firmly in credit despite gifting Watford a spot-kick in the second half.
For all that Watford were well beaten judged on the scoreline, Javi Gracia will have seen plenty of forward talent to work with in only his third match in charge as he sets out on his second stint as Hornets manager, five years on from the first.
Defensively they need work, perhaps, but then again they will not play statistically the best attack in the country every week.
Coventry City manager Frank Lampard speaking to BBC Radio CWR:
"It was a difficult game against good opposition with lots of pace, lots of transition threat and lots of quality. If you'd offered me that (3-1) this morning against Watford I would have taken it so I'm happy.
"Carl Rushworth made some great saves for us. That is what he is there for and it is great to see a continuation of his form. We did a lot of damage in the first half but they are a counter attacking team.
"We had to be a bit careful in how we played but we had to take the sting out of the game. We want to win games. If you get loose against good opposition they are dangerous.
"Six wins, 12 unbeaten but don't get used to it like it is nothing. We can improve for sure but we need to continue. As easy as you go on these type of runs it can go on the reverse. We have to control it and keep working."
Frank Lampard reflects on Coventry win
Watford manager Javi Gracia speaking to BBC Radio Three Counties:
"From my point of view we played very well most of the game. When you have clear chances and don't score one goal against the league leaders it is not easy.
"I am happy with my team as they showed a good attitude and dominated the game. In the second half with one player less we conceded no shots on target and we were able to score a goal.
"If we control a little bit better the first half we could have had a result. We had two 'one v ones' with Rocco [Vata] but their keeper made great saves. You have to finish with composure and finish well.
"If we want better results we need to be more constant. But today we could see a team. With some mistakes that penalise us, yes. But a real team."
Gracia: 'It's a shame because we played very well'
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