Cardiff City picked up their first away victory of the campaign at Vicarage Road, defeating Watford 2-1.
Omer Riza made three changes to the side that faced Oxford United on Boxing Day. Jesper Daland replaced Joel Bagan in the back three, with Cian Ashford and Callum Robinson named in the starting XI after netting at the Kassam Stadium.
It took just two minutes for City to open the scoring, with Robinson on target. A great driving run from Callum O’Dowda saw the Bluebirds burst forward, with the left wing-back finding his Irish international teammate with a neat pass. Robbo took an important touch to create space before driving the ball low into the bottom corner.
Play-Off chasing Watford began to control possession, though the Bluebirds limited them to few chances in the first half. Jak Alnwick was forced to punch away a dangerous cross, but the best chance fell to Ashford at the other end. Robinson teed up his fellow attacker with an inviting ball, but the Welshman couldn’t quite apply a clean connection.
The Hornets made the most of that let-off, finding an equaliser through Giorgi Chakvetadze after 38 minutes. A cross intended for a central area found its way to the backpost, with Chakvetadze unmarked and able to slot home.
However, the scoreline wasn’t level for long. Chris Willock pounced on a loose ball and freed Ashford with a brilliant low pass. Through on goal, Ashford picked his head up and calmly squared to Robinson, who simply tapped home for his second of the afternoon.
Watford came out looking for another leveller in the second half, but couldn’t create many clear-cut chances. At the other end, Siopis went close with a low drive that was deflected just wide, and O’Dowda headed wide from a set-piece.
The Bluebirds remained resolute as Tom Cleverley’s side pushed on, with substitute Ollie Tanner providing a spark at the other end. He picked up a loose ball and drove forward, forcing a strong save from Daniel Bachmann in the Watford goal.
The Hornets had a golden opportunity to level with ten minutes remaining, which came from a long throw-in. The flick-on was won by a Watford man, freeing Daniel Jebbison at the back post. The striker, unmarked, was thankfully unable to convert, heading wide from close range.
More last-ditch defending from the likes of O’Dowda and Daland continued, as the Bluebirds continued to battle for three points. Dimi Goutas headed over from a dangerous Robertson free-kick as the game entered the final few minutes.
After nine minutes of stoppage time, the sound of the final whistle confirmed three points for Riza's men, who return to South Wales on New Year's Day to face Coventry City (3pm kick-off).
Full Time | Watford 1-2 Cardiff City
Cardiff City: Alnwick, Rinomhota, Daland, Chambers (Bagan 74’), Goutas, O’Dowda (Colwill 89’), Siopis, Robertson, Willock (Tanner 64’), Ashford (Meite 89’), Robinson.
Subs not used: Horvath, Fish, Kpakio, El Ghazi, Kanga.
Watford: Bachmann, Andrews, Porteous (Sierralta 46’), Pollock, Larouci, Louza (Ince 67’), Kayembe, Sissoko, Vata (Ebosele 57’), Chakvetadze, Bayo (Jebbison 57’).
Subs not used: Bond, Ogbonna, Morris, Ngakia, Dwomoh.