Watford fell to a second successive defeat in the Sky Bet Championship as Middlesbrough secured all three points with a 3-2 victory at Vicarage Road.

A lively opening 20 minutes saw three goals converted as Boro’s Riley McGree notched a quickfire double before Vakoun Bayo reduced the arrears with a composed finish. The Watford man almost levelled the score moments later after rounding visiting shot-stopper Seny Dieng, but he was unable to turn the ball goal-bound.

After the interval, Watford looked to pile the pressure on and the Golden Boys’ efforts culminated in an early second-half goal for Wesley Hoedt, who caught the ball sweetly as it flew into the roof of the net.

Although the Hornets hoped to capitalise on the leveller, Middlesbrough would retake the lead through Josh Coburn, and with half-an-hour left on the clock Watford battled until the end to find the crucial equaliser, but were unable to break down Boro one more time.

Hornets Head Coach Valérien Ismaël made four changes to the XI that lost to Leeds United last time out, with Tom Ince, Ismaël Koné, Matheus Martins and Ryan Andrews making way for Jeremy Ngakia, Yáser Asprilla, Bayo and Tom Dele-Bashiru.

The alterations to the line-up moved Francisco Sierralta into a defensive back three, as Bayo and Mileta Rajović partnered up-top for Watford from the start for the first time.

Despite the adjustment in formation, the away side took the lead inside five minutes as Boro skipper Jonny Howson played McGree into a dangerous area, allowing the Australian to slide the ball past Daniel Bachmann.

Watford tried to begin their game with some neat work in the channels to give full-back Ngakia the chance to distribute to the two-pronged attack, and eventually, the 23-year-old duly delivered but an unmarked Bayo headed wide of the target.

Middlesbrough were clinical and made their chances pay in the opening stages, making it two after just 12 minutes as McGree doubled his account from the edge of the box.

The Golden Boys would respond as Ryan Porteous released a teasing diagonal pass which set Bayo through, with the Ivorian exhibiting impressive poise to slide the ball under Dieng and into the net.

Only five minutes later, Bayo had a chance to level the score following an inviting Asprilla through-ball, however the striker was unable to replicate the same composure as he rounded the goalkeeper and fired it into the crowd.

The end-to-end nature of the encounter ultimately calmed following a stoppage for Lewis O’Brien, who went down with an injury, leading to an impromptu drinks break. Neither side were able to add to their tally before half-time, meaning the away side went into the interval a goal up.

Heading into the second period, Ismaël made a change as Rajović was replaced by Martins, with the Watford boss looking to inspire a fightback. The Brazilian was immediately involved in proceedings as he looked to link up with his teammates in midfield, laying the ball off to Dele-Bashiru who drilled an effort just over the bar.

The introduction of Martins seemed to send the Hornets up a gear as momentum swung in Watford’s favour. From a pinpoint Ngakia cross, Bayo nodded towards goal, forcing a spectacular diving save from Dieng.

The resulting set-piece would lead to the equaliser as Asprilla’s ball in was met by centre-back Hoedt, who produced an unorthodox half-volley to bring his side level after just seven minutes of the second half.

A familiar end-to-end feeling returned as, against the run of play, Coburn fired Boro back in front as a defence-splitting Matt Crooks pass gave the striker a one-versus-one opportunity which he converted.

It was up to the Hornets to once again haul themselves back into the contest as the boss turned to his bench, making a triple change to help inspire his charges with Ince, Edo Kayembe and Giorgi Chakvetadze coming on.

In reply, Martins forced a decent stop from Dieng after cutting inside from the left-flank, but he was unable to make a further dent on the scoresheet with Watford chasing an equaliser.

Heading into the final stages, Rhys Healey made his way onto the Vicarage Road pitch for the first time, making his league debut for the Hornets.

In search of the equaliser, Martins hit the crossbar deep into stoppage time, but it was the closest Watford came to taking a point as Middlesbrough completed the 3-2 win.