Match ends, Brighton and Hove Albion 0, Watford 2.
BrightonBrighton & Hove Albion0WatfordWatford2
Watford clinched promotion to the Premier League after they beat Brighton and other results went their way.
The Hornets won 2-0 in their lunchtime kick-off at the Amex Stadium, then saw Championship promotion rivals Middlesbrough and Norwich both drop points later in the day.
They secured their fifth-successive victory thanks to goals from Troy Deeney and Matej Vydra.
Watford are four points clear of third-placed Boro with one game to go.
Drawing 3-3 in stoppage time at Fulham, Boro sent keeper Dimi Konstantopoulos forward seeking a winner, only for Fulham to break to the other end and score - a decision boss Aitor Karanka defended as a legitimate "risk" afterwards.
Other results ensured Slavisa Jokanovic's Watford side are back in the top flight after an eight-year absence.
| Hornets joy |
|---|
| Watford have now won seven of their last nine away games. Their last defeat on the road was 2-0 at Bournemouth on 30 January. |
Deeney scored his 21st goal of the season to put the Hornets ahead with a powerful finish after Brighton defender Greg Halford failed to clear the danger.
Brighton's Chris O'Grady had a shot tipped over by keeper Heurelho Gomes, before Vydra finished a counter-attack to add a second goal late on.
The Hornets were then left to wait to see how Boro and Norwich, who started the day in third and fourth spot, fared at Fulham and Rotherham before their celebrations could begin.
Both of those games featured late goals that went Watford's way, with Boro beaten by a 94th-minute goal from Ross McCormack that settled a 4-3 thriller.
Norwich were leading Rotherham until four minutes from time, when Jordan Bowery's header brought the Millers level.
Only second-placed Bournemouth can catch Watford, who will seal the Championship title if they beat Sheffield Wednesday in their final game on 2 May.
Brighton manager Chris Hughton:
"It's very, very frustrating.
"But it is my responsibility to make sure we will be fighting in a different part of the table next season. To do that I will be bringing in personnel to change it."
Watford head coach Slavisa Jokanovic:
"It's very important for us to keep going for 46 games. I don't have any plans for tonight and tomorrow. I will be preparing for the next game.
"It was a relief to score the second goal and it was important. Brighton pressed at the start and the end of the game, so it was an important second goal."
Line-ups
Brighton
Formation 3-5-1-1
- 13Stockdale
- 33Halford
- 3GreerBooked at 90mins
- 5Dunk
- 2BrunoSubstituted forCalderonat 79'minutes
- 28KayalBooked at 43mins
- 6StephensBooked at 90mins
- 18Forster-CaskeySubstituted forLua Luaat 78'minutes
- 30Bennett
- 32CarayolSubstituted forMackail-Smithat 60'minutes
- 11O'Grady
Substitutes
- 4Hughes
- 12Mackail-Smith
- 14Calderon
- 19Best
- 24Ince
- 25Lua Lua
- 31Walton
Watford
Formation 3-5-2
- 1Gomes
- 4AngellaBooked at 66mins
- 15CathcartBooked at 61mins
- 39Connolly
- 14Paredes
- 5GuédiouraBooked at 90mins
- 23Watson
- 22AbdiSubstituted forForestieriat 82'minutes
- 21AnyaSubstituted forTozserat 26'minutes
- 24IghaloSubstituted forVydraat 65'minutes
- 9DeeneyBooked at 87mins
Substitutes
- 7Layun
- 8Tozser
- 11Forestieri
- 20Vydra
- 30Bond
- 31Hoban
- 47Motta
- Referee:
- Keith Stroud
- Attendance:
- 28,841
Match Stats
Home TeamBrightonAway TeamWatford
- Possession
- Home60%
- Away40%
- Shots
- Home13
- Away12
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away5
- Corners
- Home7
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home11
- Away11
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Brighton and Hove Albion 0, Watford 2.
Booking
Gordon Greer (Brighton and Hove Albion) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Gordon Greer (Brighton and Hove Albion).
Post update
Matej Vydra (Watford) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Goal!
Goal! Brighton and Hove Albion 0, Watford 2. Matej Vydra (Watford) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Troy Deeney following a fast break.
Post update
Attempt saved. Joe Bennett (Brighton and Hove Albion) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Booking
Dale Stephens (Brighton and Hove Albion) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Dale Stephens (Brighton and Hove Albion).
Post update
Fernando Forestieri (Watford) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match Lewis Dunk (Brighton and Hove Albion) because of an injury.
Booking
Adlène Guédioura (Watford) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Lewis Dunk (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Adlène Guédioura (Watford).
Post update
Attempt saved. Dale Stephens (Brighton and Hove Albion) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Íñigo Calderón.
Post update
Attempt missed. Chris O'Grady (Brighton and Hove Albion) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Dale Stephens following a set piece situation.
Booking
Troy Deeney (Watford) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Joe Bennett (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Troy Deeney (Watford).
