Despite an improved second-half performance from the Hornets a Brighton and Hove Albion double was the difference at Vicarage Road.

Watford waited patiently for their opportunities during the first half, allowing the visitors the majority of the possession. It would be a late Neal Maupay volley that would ensure the visitors went into the break a goal up.

Ismaïla Sarr made his first appearance for the Hornets since November, coming on as a half-time substitute and bringing with him new-found energy down the right-hand flank. It culminated in Emmanuel Dennis smashing the crossbar from close range as Watford edged closer to the equaliser.

A resurgent performance from the Golden Boys was unable to dent the scoreline though as Brighton doubled their lead through Adam Webster and ensured the points would be heading to the south coast.

Watford manager Roy Hodgson named an unchanged starting line-up from the narrow defeat to West Ham United, with Sarr returning to the bench after winning the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal.

The new Hornets boss received a rapturous welcome, alongside his assistant Ray Lewington when introduced to the Watford faithful.

It would be the visitors that would set the tempo, testing the newly-formed triad of Craig Cathcart, Samir and Ben Foster.

Jakub Moder’s volleyed effort brought out a comfortable stop from the Hornets goalkeeper, tipping it behind for a corner.

The Golden Boys would respond to the early pressure as Joshua King fired over the bar from close range after Robert Sánchez flapped at a Kiko Femenía corner.

Brighton’s Polish international Moder was involved once more, picking out Pascal Groß, but the German’s header was wide of the mark.

The Seagulls’ attacking intensity returned as Maupay tried his luck from range, while Foster remained composed and palmed it away from goal with little bother.

With the Hornets set up to stifle Brighton’s attack, opportunities on the counterattack became a vital outlet for Hodgson’s side.

One such instance involved a player who had learnt much under the 74-year-old with the English national team, Tom Cleverley.

The spirited midfielder won the ball back and released the electric Dennis, who was brought down by Lewis Dunk just outside the box and the Seagulls’ skipper was booked accordingly. The Nigerian took the resulting set-piece and only fired it just over the bar.

Brighton’s opener originated from very little but was an exhibition in clinical finishing. Tariq Lamptey delivered a hopeful ball into the box and Maupay caught it sweetly, hitting the roof of the net with pinpoint accuracy.

At the break, Hodgson rolled the dice and brought on Imrân Louza and Sarr to a euphoric cheer from all sides of Vicarage Road.

A new-found vigour followed as the Senegalese winger looked to run beyond Marc Cucurella. Watford possession became a common theme in the early stages of the second half, as the players fed off the supporters’ enthusiasm.

Sarr’s first effort, although speculative, showed a hunger to test Sánchez, firing just over the crossbar after a first-time flick.

Watford’s monopoly of the ball continued as Dennis unleashed a venomous strike onto the crossbar from close range after the Nigerian had run past most of the Seagulls’ right-sided defenders.

It meant that when Brighton did get a chance it came slightly against the run of play. A goalmouth scramble ensued following an Alexis Mac Allister free-kick, but Cleverley was there to get his body in front of Moder’s strike.

The game became a more even affair heading into the final 20 minutes, following the introduction of Mac Allister and Yves Bissouma for the visitors.

Hodgson’s final change of the encounter saw Cleverley make way for João Pedro, as the Brazilian positioned himself on the left-wing.

With the increased Brighton possession, Foster made a great stop to deny Cucurella’s low-driven strike.

The Seagulls’ familiar attacking play from the first half eventually returned as Webster fired Brighton’s second into the net after a fortunate deflection left him a tap-in from a corner.

Watford came close but were unable to get anything out of the encounter, with Sarr's final effort saved by Sánchez's trailing leg.