Rob Edwards suffered a dismal return to Vicarage Road as Middlesbrough were beaten 3-0 by Watford. The visitors controlled long passages of play, registering more possession and more shots, but Imran Louza's early strike and a Luca Kjerrumgaard brace punished defensive lapses and showcased the Hornets' ruthless edge.
With leaders Coventry beaten at Wrexham on Friday, Boro had a chance to draw level on points with the Sky Blues, only to see that opportunity slip away. Javi Gracia's side climbed to 10th with a fourth successive home win, sealed by their first clean sheet since April 8, achieved on the 13th attempt, on an afternoon when the home end serenaded Edwards with the scoreline.
Baah's burst and Louza's finish set the tone.
Egil Selvik set an early tone by denying Hayden Hackney before Watford struck from their first meaningful attack. In the 15th minute, pacy winger Kwadwo Baah surged 60 yards, beat Matt Targett on the outside and squared for captain Imran Louza, who had instigated the break, to fire home his fifth goal in seven games.