Ken Sema’s spectacular late effort was the difference as Watford beat Swansea City 1-0 under the lights in Wales to extend their unbeaten run in the Sky Bet Championship to three matches.

The travelling Hornets looked bright during an opening period that could’ve seen Vakoun Bayo open the scoring shortly before the whistle. A delightful ball from right-back Jeremy Ngakia reached the Ivorian striker, who headed directly towards a grateful Carl Rushworth between the sticks for Swansea, meaning the sides went into the break level.

After the restart, Watford continued to frustrate the home side, enjoying their fair share of chances, and eventually it was left for second-half substitute Sema to release a venomous effort from just inside the box, hitting the roof of the net and securing the three points.

A first away victory since January means the Golden Boys leapfrog the Swans in the Championship standings, taking them up to 15th as they prepare to face Millwall at The Vic this Saturday (October 28, 3pm KO).

Head Coach Valérien Ismaël made three changes to the XI that beat Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 last time out, with Francisco Sierralta, Ismaël Koné and Edo Kayembe coming in for Ryan Porteous, Imrân Louza and Tom Dele-Bashiru.

Before proceedings got underway, a minute’s applause was held to pay tribute to England legend and footballing great Sir Bobby Charlton, following his passing at the weekend.

It was an even start to the encounter, with plenty of energy on display at the Swansea.com Stadium. The Hornets looked to grasp the initiative, as impressive work from Jake Livermore allowed the visitors to counter attack through Jamal Lewis.

Northern Ireland full-back Lewis delivered an accurate ball into the box that Tom Ince directed goalwards, only for Swans goalkeeper Rushworth to save low to his left before the 10-minute mark.

Watford kept up their positive start as Koné applied pressure to Swansea’s Jay Fulton, stealing possession near the home box before the ball was worked to Kayembe who fired just wide of the post in another bright attacking move.

Crossing the halfway point in the first half, the Hornets remained composed in possession, but had to ward off Swansea’s attacking play. Captain Matt Grimes wrapped his left boot around the ball, aiming a powerful effort from the edge of the box and forcing his opposite skipper Daniel Bachmann to tip the ball away at full stretch.

With the opening half concluding, Watford ended the period strongly as Ngakia floated a ball to the far post which an unmarked Bayo headed straight at the Swans’ shot-stopper, with Kayembe hitting a tame rebound back at Rushworth.

During the break, Ismaël swapped Matheus Martins for Sema, who recently made his first appearance back in yellow following a knock he suffered during the September international break.

The Hornets came out of the dressing room with real vigour and enjoyed a period of sustained pressure acknowledged by the travelling away support. It almost culminated in the opener, as Sierralta headed over sub Sema’s corner with the effort narrowly zipping over the bar.

The Watford players gained plenty of confidence from their lively start to the second half, and it showed as Ince attempted an audacious half-volley from range as the winger looked to catch the goalkeeper off his line.

Also looking to capitalise on the promising beginning was the Golden Boys’ boss, as he introduced Mileta Rajović and Yáser Asprilla into the fold, replacing Bayo and Ince.

The substitute duo almost combined to break the deadlock, as Colombian youngster Asprilla drilled his pass towards Danish striker Rajović standing on the penalty spot, but the latter found his path to goal blocked by a Swansea shirt.

Although the ball did then find the back of the net, as Kristian Pedersen headed past Bachmann, referee Andrew Kitchen ruled there had been a foul during the build-up, meaning the game went into the final 15 minutes level.

Looking to roll the dice once more, Ismaël introduced Giorgi Chakvetadze into proceedings, replacing Koné as he looked to provide his side with another creative spark.

And then the breakthrough came, and in spectacular style. Sema produced a wonderful moment of magic, receiving the ball on the edge of the area before releasing a powerful strike into the top of the Swans’ net with the clock edging close to full-time.

It was almost two as Asprilla cut inside and hit a low, driven effort at Rushworth, troubling the goalkeeper, but not enough to notch his second in two games.

Despite a late resurgence from Swansea, which almost resulted in an equaliser as Harry Darling forced Bachmann into two impressive stops, the Austrian goalkeeper was able to maintain the clean sheet and help secure Watford’s first victory on the road since the trip to Norwich at the start of 2023.