Watford secured a third consecutive win in the Sky Bet Championship, as goals from Francisco Sierralta and Ismaïla Sarr earned a 2-1 triumph over Cardiff City on a chilly Wednesday night in South Wales.

In a game of successful set-pieces, Cédric Kipré scored an early header for the hosts before Sierralta nodded in his first goal since March 2021, with Sarr getting the decisive touch on a second-half corner to bring three points back to Hertfordshire.

Back at home this weekend, the Golden Boys will look to continue building momentum before the imminent winter World Cup, with Coventry City up next at Vicarage Road on Saturday afternoon (November 5, 3pm KO).

The Hornets struggled to impose themselves in the early stages in the Welsh capital, with the Bluebirds on the front foot. Callum O’Dowda nipped in between the midfield and backline to intercept a loose pass from Hassane Kamara, but Daniel Bachmann showed quick reactions to dart off his line and slide the ball clear.

Cardiff’s high press paid dividends with less than 10 minutes on the clock as they forced a corner, which Joe Ralls delivered accurately for Kipré to head home inside the box and give the hosts an early lead.

Slaven Bilić’s charges appeared to kick into gear following the opener, and fashioned several chances of their own. Ryan Allsop was tested twice in a matter of seconds from a Watford corner by João Pedro and Ken Sema, and goalscorer Kipré did well to block efforts from the Brazilian and Sarr.

Rewarded for their chances following Cardiff’s goal, the equaliser came courtesy of Sierralta - his second for the club. Sema’s wicked delivery entered a congested 18-yard box, but the Chilean managed to connect with the ball effectively to beat Allsop.

Bachmann was forced immediately into action in the second period when Jaden Philogene-Bidace broke into the box and aimed for the far post, with the Austrian making a fine stop.

The Hornets took control of the game from there and threatened Allsop’s goal through various attacking outlets. Mario Gaspar, in his first start since October 5, angled a pass effectively into the path of Vakoun Bayo, who couldn’t time his run effectively enough to connect with the inswinging ball.

Sarr found space on the left flank soon after and attempted a venomous shot on the edge of the box, but wasn’t able to keep it under the crossbar.

The Senegalese winger would get his goal though, through another effective corner. Bayo leapt highest and appeared to meet the cross, but it was Sarr instead who got the all-important touch, wheeling away to the Watford supporters who had braved the wet weather and a long midweek journey to watch their side.

A back-and-forth end to the game saw both sides test their opposition goalkeepers, but Cardiff arguably looked closest to netting the fourth goal of the game. Substitute Sheyi Ojo linked up dangerously with Philogene-Bidace, only for Bachmann to prevent an equaliser with a close-range save.

Ojo got the home fans on their feet in added time again when he fed a pass through to Max Watters, but the striker was denied by the offside flag before he could unleash a shot.

Digging deep to see out the game, and with a corner of jubilant away supporters behind them throughout, the Hornets can now look to their final three games before the Qatar World Cup later this month, starting with back-to-back home games against Coventry City and Reading.