Hull won at Watford for a third straight away victory that moves them up to fourth in the Championship.

Sunderland loanee David Meyler headed in on the rebound to give the Tigers the lead just before half-time.

Substitute Almen Abdi came close to equalising for the hosts when he hit the post, before Robbie Brady's free-kick doubled Hull's lead.

Troy Deeney struck for the Hornets late on but it was not enough to keep their seven-match unbeaten run going.

Watford had won five of those seven games but could not keep up that recent form as the visitors took control of the first half.

Robert Koren saw his long-distance shot held by Manuel Almunia before Meyler nodded home after Corry Evans's drive cam back off the bar.

The home side improved after the break and David Stockdale brilliantly saved Mark Yeates's free-kick before Abdi struck the woodwork.

But it was Hull who struck next, as Robbie Brady smashed home a 25-yard free-kick after Fitz Hall brought down Meyler.

Deeney ensured a nervy finish as he converted Abdi's through-ball on the verge of full-time, but Steve Bruce's side held on for their sixth victory in nine.

Watford manager Gianfranco Zola:

"The second half was better, the approach was better, we created more chances, we could even have drawn the game in the end but you can't give away 45 minutes like we did.

"We took a defender off, we put Marco [Cassetti] in the middle and Ikechi [Anya] has given something extra going forward, he was very good, and when [Almen] Abdi came on he's given us something very good in the middle.

"I don't see this as a step back, it's just part of the journey, you can't expect with our team to win all the games. Sometimes you lose and you learn something from it, as I hope everybody will, and with more energy we go forward again."

Hull manager Steve Bruce:

"Watford in the second half were better but the first half I can't really remember my goalkeeper having a touch of the ball and we've had two chances in the first three minutes which we've missed.

"But we knew Gianfranco's [Zola] team would be different in the second half, they're on a great run of form but I think we were worthy winners. We could have been and should have been out of sight.

"We've tried to play, we've tried to entertain, I'm delighted that the supporters are enjoying what they're seeing. I've got some good players who have adapted very quickly in three or months to a different regime, a different manager, a different formation, a different style if you like but I think they're enjoying it."

Lineup, Bookings (2) & Substitutions (6)

Watford

  • 01 Almunia
  • 06 Hall (Geijo - 78' )
  • 18 Pudil (Abdi - 65' )
  • 27 Cassetti
  • 31 Hoban
  • 39 Chalobah
  • 40 Ekstrand (Anya - 46' )
  • 07 Yeates
  • 08 Hogg
  • 09 Deeney
  • 20 Vydra

Substitutes

  • 34 Bonham
  • 29 Thompson
  • 21 Anya
  • 22 Abdi
  • 37 Mujangi Bia
  • 38 Battocchio
  • 36 Geijo

Hull City

  • 34 Stockdale
  • 05 Chester
  • 15 McShane (Hobbs - 27' )
  • 28 Bruce
  • 08 Evans
  • 10 Koren (Rosenior - 74' )
  • 27 Elmohamady
  • 29 Quinn
  • 31 Meyler
  • 11 Simpson Booked
  • 30 Brady Booked (Proschwitz - 83' )

Substitutes

  • 01 Jakupovic
  • 02 Rosenior
  • 06 Hobbs
  • 14 Cairney
  • 16 Olofinjana
  • 09 Mclean
  • 33 Proschwitz
Ref: Haywood
Att: 12,156

Match Stats

Shots

11 12

On target

7 7

Corners

8 4

Fouls

9 7

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +5:36 Full time

Full Time The game is over, as the referee blows his whistle.

90:00 +4:31

David Meyler takes a shot. Marco Cassetti gets a block in. Short corner taken by Ahmed Elmohamady from the right by-line.

90:00 +1:56

Almen Abdi provided the assist for the goal.

90:00 +1:56 Goal scored

Goal - Troy Deeney - Watford 1 - 2 Hull Troy Deeney scores a goal from deep inside the penalty box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Watford 1-2 Hull.

89:38

A cross is delivered by Mark Yeates, Liam Rosenior makes a clearance. Pass corner from right by-line taken by Matej Vydra to short.

88:47

Nathaniel Chalobah has a shot on goal from outside the box which misses right.

87:30 Booking

Booking Jay Simpson shown a yellow card.

85:22

A cross is delivered by Mark Yeates, clearance by Alex Bruce.

85:22

Centre by Mark Yeates, James Chester makes a clearance.

84:13

Nathaniel Chalobah takes a shot. Ahmed Elmohamady manages to make a clearance.

83:27

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Mark Yeates from the left by-line to the near post, Jack Hobbs makes a clearance.

82:14 Substitution

Substitution Nick Proschwitz joins the action as a substitute, replacing Robbie Brady.

78:46

Foul by David Meyler on Matej Vydra, free kick awarded. Mark Yeates has an effort direct from the free kick.

77:42

The ball is sent over by Mark Yeates, David Meyler gets a block in. Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Mark Yeates from the left by-line, Header from deep inside the penalty area by Nathaniel Chalobah goes harmlessly over the crossbar.

77:20 Substitution

Substitution Alexandre Geijo joins the action as a substitute, replacing Fitz Hall.

77:05

The ball is swung over by Mark Yeates, Jack Hobbs manages to make a clearance.

74:33

Foul by Marco Cassetti on David Meyler, free kick awarded. Stephen Quinn takes the free kick.

73:08 Substitution

Substitution Liam Rosenior is brought on as a substitute for Robert Koren.

72:17 Goal scored

Goal - Robbie Brady - Watford 0 - 2 Hull Robbie Brady grabs a goal direct from the free kick from outside the penalty area high into the middle of the goal. Watford 0-2 Hull.

70:52

Fitz Hall challenges David Meyler unfairly and gives away a free kick.

68:45

The free kick is swung in right-footed by Mark Yeates, comfortable save by David Stockdale.

68:45 Booking

Booking The referee cautions Robbie Brady for unsporting behaviour.

68:35

Ikechi Anya fouled by Robbie Brady, the ref awards a free kick.

67:21

Almen Abdi has an effort at goal from deep inside the penalty box that bounces off the post.

66:44

Centre by Marco Cassetti, James Chester manages to make a clearance. Corner taken by Mark Yeates, David Meyler makes a clearance.

65:26

Troy Deeney is ruled offside. David Stockdale restarts play with the free kick.

64:04 Substitution

Substitution Daniel Pudil goes off and Almen Abdi comes on.

63:47

Stephen Quinn crosses the ball, save made by Manuel Almunia.

63:10

Mark Yeates takes a shot. Save made by David Stockdale.

62:25

The ball is swung over by Robbie Brady, Manuel Almunia makes a comfortable save.

61:13

Foul by Robert Koren on Daniel Pudil, free kick awarded. Manuel Almunia restarts play with the free kick.

59:59

Troy Deeney takes a shot. David Stockdale makes a comfortable save.

59:22

Robbie Brady takes a shot. Save made by Manuel Almunia.

59:10

Centre by Ahmed Elmohamady, Tommie Hoban makes a clearance.

58:16

Nathaniel Chalobah challenges James Chester unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by David Stockdale.

57:25

Corner from the right by-line taken by Mark Yeates, clearance by Jack Hobbs.

56:53

Robert Koren takes a shot. Blocked by Fitz Hall.

55:33

Robbie Brady is adjudged to have handled the ball. Nathaniel Chalobah restarts play with the free kick.

53:37

Robbie Brady fouled by Marco Cassetti, the ref awards a free kick. Stephen Quinn takes the direct free kick.

52:21

Free kick awarded for a foul by James Chester on Matej Vydra. Direct effort from the free kick comes in from Mark Yeates, David Stockdale makes a fantastic save.

51:41

The ball is swung over by Ikechi Anya.

49:09

Stephen Quinn decides to take a short corner, Ahmed Elmohamady delivers the ball, comfortable save by Manuel Almunia.

48:38

Mark Yeates delivers the ball, save by David Stockdale.

45:15

Troy Deeney produces a right-footed shot from just outside the box that misses to the right of the target.

45:01

The referee starts the second half.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution (Watford) makes a substitution, with Ikechi Anya coming on for Joel Ekstrand.

45:00 +2:30 Half time

Half Time The match has reached half-time.

45:00 +1:17

Jonathan Hogg crosses the ball, save by David Stockdale.

44:30

Troy Deeney is ruled offside. Free kick taken by David Stockdale.

44:02

Mark Yeates takes the inswinging corner, James Chester manages to make a clearance.

43:49

Marco Cassetti crosses the ball, Ahmed Elmohamady makes a clearance.

40:31

Assist on the goal came from Corry Evans.

40:31 Goal scored

Goal - David Meyler - Watford 0 - 1 Hull David Meyler grabs a headed goal from inside the penalty area. Watford 0-1 Hull.

40:03

Corry Evans takes a shot.

38:53

Effort on goal by Robbie Brady from a long way out goes over the bar.

36:34

The ball is swung over by David Meyler, Tommie Hoban makes a clearance.

35:47

Marco Cassetti challenges Stephen Quinn unfairly and gives away a free kick. Robbie Brady takes the free kick.

34:52

The ball is sent over by Troy Deeney.

34:00

The ball is crossed by Ahmed Elmohamady, Robbie Brady takes a shot from inside the six-yard box clearing the crossbar.

33:00

Robbie Brady sends in a cross, clearance made by Joel Ekstrand.

32:31

James Chester sends in a cross, clearance by Troy Deeney.

31:45

Ahmed Elmohamady produces a cross, Tommie Hoban gets a block in. Corner from the right by-line taken by Stephen Quinn, Troy Deeney makes a clearance.

30:17

Robert Koren takes a shot. Comfortable save by Manuel Almunia.

29:32

Stephen Quinn takes the inswinging corner, Troy Deeney manages to make a clearance.

28:42

The ball is sent over by David Meyler, Shot from close range by Robert Koren misses to the left of the goal.

26:21 Substitution

Substitution Jack Hobbs joins the action as a substitute, replacing Paul McShane.

26:08

A cross is delivered by Marco Cassetti, Ahmed Elmohamady manages to make a clearance.

21:41

The ball is sent over by David Meyler, clearance by Marco Cassetti.

20:54

The ball is crossed by Ahmed Elmohamady, Marco Cassetti makes a clearance.

19:38

The offside flag is raised against Robert Koren. Manuel Almunia restarts play with the free kick.

19:00

Matej Vydra gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Robbie Brady. Direct free kick taken by David Stockdale.

16:58

Nathaniel Chalobah takes a shot. Blocked by Paul McShane. Outswinging corner taken by Mark Yeates, free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on James Chester by Fitz Hall. David Stockdale takes the direct free kick.

16:28

Mark Yeates takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line played to the near post, David Meyler makes a clearance.

10:35

A cross is delivered by Troy Deeney, clearance by Ahmed Elmohamady.

8:32

Paul McShane gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Troy Deeney. Mark Yeates restarts play with the free kick. Fitz Hall gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on James Chester. David Meyler restarts play with the free kick.

9:27

The ball is sent over by Stephen Quinn, blocked by Fitz Hall.

8:32

Paul McShane concedes a free kick for a foul on Troy Deeney. Direct free kick taken by Mark Yeates. Fitz Hall challenges Paul McShane unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by David Meyler.

7:44

Corry Evans challenges Matej Vydra unfairly and gives away a free kick. Manuel Almunia takes the direct free kick.

5:11

Shot from just outside the penalty area by Stephen Quinn misses to the left of the target.

4:12

Jay Simpson takes a shot. Blocked by Fitz Hall.

3:48

Foul by Jay Simpson on Joel Ekstrand, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Manuel Almunia.

3:29

The ball is swung over by Robert Koren, clearance by Joel Ekstrand.

2:17

Mark Yeates gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ahmed Elmohamady. Direct free kick taken by Alex Bruce.

1:58

Mark Yeates sends in a cross, Alex Bruce gets a block in.

0:00

The referee gets the game started.

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