Matej Vydra brace downs Brighton & Hove Albion

By Barney Corkhill | 29 Dec 2012 19:14, Last updated: 04 Jun 2025 23:05

Matej Vydra scored two goals in as many second-half minutes to hand Watford a 3-1 win away to Brighton & Hove Albion this afternoon.

Watford had a good chance to break the deadlock after just eight minutes as Daniel Pudil was left unmarked in the box, but he couldn't keep his header down.

Kazenga LuaLua was the first to really test the opposition goalkeeper, forcing Manuel Almunia to parry a rasping drive.

Thomas Kuszczak also had to be on form at the other end to keep the scores level at the halfway stage, first saving from Jonathan Hogg before getting down well to deny Matej Vydra just before the interval.

The opening goal finally came 10 minutes after the restart when Troy Deeney fired Watford into the lead with a low shot from a tight angle.

The hosts were back level 10 minutes later, however, as LuaLua was upended inside the box, allowing David Lopez to step up and convert the resulting penalty.

They were only level for three minutes, however, as Vydra's effort took a huge deflection off Adam El-Abd before looping up and over Kuszczak.

Vydra then got his second in as many minutes when he raced past the defence before firing home with only Kuszczak to beat to make it 3-1.

Almunia prevented his side from having a nervy finish with a good save five minutes from time, denying Will Hoskins after the striker had raced onto Bruno's pass.

As it happened, Watford comfortably held on for a victory that leaves them sixth in the Championship table, while Brighton remain 10th.