A Peter Whittingham double inspired Cardiff City to fourth in the league as the Bluebirds ended their 39-year hoodoo at Watford in style.
Whittingham celebrated his 150th career start with an early penalty goal after Craig Cathcart had fouled Jay Bothroyd.
Adam Matthews' 50-yard free-kick doubled their lead after Watford keeper Scott Loach was completely deceived.
Whittingham's seventh this term secured the win before Jay Bothroyd smashed home for the division's top-scorers.
The Bluebirds followed up their 6-1 midweek thrashing of Derby County with a four-star performance at Vicarage Road, where the Welsh team have not won since October 1970.
But after teenage right-back Matthews had added to Whittingham's opener, the Welsh under-21 international scoring his first career goal, a Cardiff win was rarely in doubt.
Matthews, in just his ninth professional game, scored one of the finest goals he may ever score in his career as his long-range effort deceived Loach and sailed - helped by the wind - into the Watford net.
Cardiff had a penalty appeal rejected early in the second-half but the visitors did add a third in the 66th minute when former Aston Villa winger Whittingham scored a rare header from Gavin Rae's pin-point cross.
And Bothroyd latched onto a through ball and crashed in Cardiff's fourth - their tenth goal in a week - a minute later to end a personal 10-match goal drought in stunning fashion from just inside the penalty area.
Cardiff keeper David Marshall ensured Dave Jones' men kept their first clean sheet in five games as he made a superb point-blank save from Nathan Ellington's close range turn and shot - Watford's best chance of the game.
Michael Chopra, Cardiff's four-goal hero against Derby on Tuesday, almost added a fifth late on but the Championship's top-scorer unusually failed to add to his impressive 12-goal tally this season.
And Cardiff were handed a further boost as last season's top-scorer Ross McCormack made an earlier than expected comeback from a hamstring injury as he replaced Chopra.
Jones' men have reacted positively following four defeats in five league games with back-to-back wins and Cardiff are now the division's top goal-scorers.
Watford manager Malky Mackay said:
"To give the two cheap goals away in the first half, like we did, means you have a mountain to climb.
"I have been in the division long enough to realise that you are going to have tough times and times when you have to stick together.
"It is in times of adversity that you make sure you have a good group. We are not in times of adversity but when you come off a defeat like that you make sure you stick together."
Cardiff City manager Dave Jones said:
Interview: Cardiff City manager Dave Jones
"The last couple of weeks we have been talking about consistency. We are still a bit hit and miss sometimes with certain things that we do.
"When you're on a run you have got to try and hit the consistent run and try and keep it going. It was important today to come away with something. It was a good team performance carrying on from Tuesday night.
"If you go into the international break having won two on the trot then you can't wait for the next game."
90:00+4:41 The final whistle goes and the game is over.
90:00+4:25 Nathan Ellington takes a shot. David Marshall makes a save.
90:00+3:45 Foul by Henri Lansbury on Joe Ledley, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Anthony Gerrard.
90:00+2:26 The ball is delivered by Nathan Ellington.
90:00+1:46 The offside flag is raised against Ross McCormack. Scott Loach restarts play with the free kick.
89:48 Substitution Michael Chopra leaves the field to be replaced by Ross McCormack.
89:13 Foul by Henri Lansbury on Stephen McPhail, free kick awarded. Indirect free kick taken by David Marshall.
88:34 The ball is sent over by Lee Hodson, Paul Quinn gets a block in. Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Henri
Lansbury, Mark Hudson makes a clearance.
87:46 Close range effort by Michael Chopra goes wide of the right-hand upright.
84:45 Unfair challenge on Michael Chopra by Jon Harley results in a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Peter Whittingham.
Joe Ledley crosses the ball.
83:55 Free kick awarded for a foul by Henri Lansbury on Chris Burke. Indirect free kick taken by Mark Hudson.
82:27 Nathan Ellington takes a shot from close in clearing the crossbar.
82:05 Corner taken right-footed by Henri Lansbury from the left by-line to the near post, Jay Bothroyd manages to make a clearance.
80:35 Jay Bothroyd fouled by John Eustace, the ref awards a free kick. Stephen McPhail takes the free kick.
79:57 Tom Cleverley delivers the ball, Nathan Ellington takes a shot. Save made by David Marshall.
78:27 Scott Loach takes the free kick.
78:27 Substitution Don Cowie leaves the field to be replaced by Jon Harley.
78:27 Substitution Joe Ledley on for Gavin Rae.
78:27 The assistant referee flags for offside against Michael Chopra.
77:17 Nathan Ellington takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Save by David Marshall.
76:24 Craig Cathcart takes a shot. David Marshall makes a save. Tom Cleverley takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line played
to the near post, Jay Bothroyd manages to make a clearance.
76:12 Don Cowie produces a cross, Mark Hudson makes a clearance.
75:35 The ball is crossed by Danny Graham, blocked by Mark Hudson. Tom Cleverley takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line
to the near post, clearance by Jay Bothroyd.
74:56 Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Tom Cleverley played to the near post, clearance made by Jay Bothroyd.
73:59 Tom Cleverley takes a shot. Paul Quinn gets a block in. Corner taken right-footed by Don Cowie, John Eustace takes a shot.
Save made by David Marshall.
73:28 The ball is delivered by Nathan Ellington.
72:45 Substitution Henri Lansbury joins the action as a substitute, replacing Ross Jenkins.
72:08 Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Tom Cleverley from the left by-line, Adrian Mariappa takes a shot. Paul Quinn makes
a clearance.
71:44 The ball is sent over by Don Cowie, Adam Matthews makes a clearance.
71:13 A cross is delivered by Lee Hodson.
69:07 Corner taken by Tom Cleverley from the left by-line, clearance made by Anthony Gerrard.
69:01 Lee Hodson delivers the ball, clearance by Mark Hudson.
66:49 GOAL - Jay Bothroyd:Watford 0 - 4 Cardiff Jay Bothroyd grabs a goal from inside the area to the top left corner of the goal. Watford 0-4 Cardiff.
65:03 Assist on the goal came from Gavin Rae.
65:03 GOAL - Peter Whittingham:Watford 0 - 3 Cardiff Peter Whittingham finds the back of the net with a headed goal from close in. Watford 0-3 Cardiff.
64:51 The ball is swung over by Gavin Rae,
63:08 The ball is sent over by Danny Graham, save by David Marshall.
62:34 Booking Booking for Jay Bothroyd for unsporting behaviour.
62:16 Jay Bothroyd gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Adrian Mariappa. Scott Loach takes the indirect free kick.
61:45 The referee blows for offside. Indirect free kick taken by David Marshall.
60:42 The ball is swung over by Adam Matthews. Michael Chopra is penalised for a handball. Scott Loach takes the free kick.
58:10 Corner taken by Peter Whittingham, Mark Hudson takes a shot. Adrian Mariappa gets a block in.
58:10 Substitution Will Hoskins goes off and Nathan Ellington comes on.
58:10 The ball is sent over by Chris Burke, Mark Hudson takes a shot. Lee Hodson gets a block in.
57:48 Corner taken by Peter Whittingham from the left by-line, Adrian Mariappa makes a clearance.
57:04 Danny Graham produces a cross, save by David Marshall.
56:19 Substitution Mark Kennedy leaves the field to be replaced by Paul Quinn.
55:23 Tom Cleverley delivers the ball, Shot from close range by Danny Graham misses to the right of the target.
54:55 Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Don Cowie played to the near post, clearance made by Jay Bothroyd.
54:49 The ball is delivered by Lee Hodson, clearance by Anthony Gerrard.
53:50 A cross is delivered by Stephen McPhail, Jay Bothroyd takes a shot. Save by Scott Loach.
51:58 Stephen McPhail fouled by Don Cowie, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick crossed right-footed by Peter Whittingham. The
referee blows for offside. Scott Loach takes the free kick.
51:36 Don Cowie sends in a cross, clearance made by Mark Hudson.
49:55 Stephen McPhail fouled by Will Hoskins, the ref awards a free kick. Adam Matthews produces a strike on goal direct from the
free kick, save made by Scott Loach.
49:32 The ball is sent over by Peter Whittingham, clearance by Lloyd Doyley.
49:10 The ball is crossed by Don Cowie, clearance made by Gavin Rae.
49:03 Lee Hodson crosses the ball, Stephen McPhail makes a clearance.
48:29 Anthony Gerrard concedes a free kick for a foul on Will Hoskins. Free kick taken by Adrian Mariappa.
47:19 Handball by Ross Jenkins. David Marshall takes the free kick.
45:40 Peter Whittingham takes a outswinging corner to the near post, Adrian Mariappa manages to make a clearance.
45:14 Free kick awarded for a foul by Adrian Mariappa on Jay Bothroyd. Mark Kennedy restarts play with the free kick.
45:01 The match restarts for the second half.
Half Time
45:00+2:36 The half-time whistle blows.
45:00+2:13 Centre by Peter Whittingham.
45:00+0:34 Free kick taken by Mark Kennedy.
45:00+0:34 Booking Adrian Mariappa receives a caution.
45:00+0:10 Free kick awarded for a foul by Adrian Mariappa on Michael Chopra.
42:51 Adrian Mariappa challenges Michael Chopra unfairly and gives away a free kick. Shot comes in from Michael Chopra from the
free kick.
40:29 GOAL - Adam Matthews:Watford 0 - 2 Cardiff Adam Matthews finds the net with a goal direct from the free kick from long distance to the top right corner of the goal.
Watford 0-2 Cardiff.
39:55 Free kick awarded for a foul by Tom Cleverley on Chris Burke.
39:25 Gavin Rae produces a right-footed shot from close range that goes over the bar.
38:06 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Chris Burke by John Eustace. Centre by Peter Whittingham, Mark Hudson produces
a header from deep inside the area and strikes the post.
37:11 The ball is sent over by Jay Bothroyd, Effort on goal by Michael Chopra from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right
of the goal.
35:06 Foul by Jay Bothroyd on Adrian Mariappa, free kick awarded. Scott Loach takes the free kick.
33:18 Anthony Gerrard challenges Will Hoskins unfairly and gives away a free kick. Tom Cleverley has an effort direct from the free
kick, save by David Marshall.
32:30 Tom Cleverley takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line to the near post, Mark Kennedy makes a clearance.
32:21 Centre by Danny Graham, Anthony Gerrard gets a block in.
32:06 Adrian Mariappa fouled by Jay Bothroyd, the ref awards a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Scott Loach.
31:37 Adam Matthews fouled by Tom Cleverley, the ref awards a free kick. David Marshall restarts play with the free kick.
30:46 The ball is crossed by Adam Matthews.
30:33 The ball is crossed by Mark Kennedy, John Eustace manages to make a clearance.
28:55 Scott Loach takes the free kick.
28:55 Booking Gavin Rae receives a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
28:33 Gavin Rae challenges Tom Cleverley unfairly and gives away a free kick.
27:26 Will Hoskins takes a shot. Comfortable save by David Marshall.
25:42 Ross Jenkins takes a shot. Corner taken right-footed by Don Cowie from the right by-line, Headed effort from inside the box
by Craig Cathcart misses to the right of the target.
24:55 Free kick awarded for a foul by John Eustace on Jay Bothroyd. Free kick taken by Mark Kennedy.
24:24 Michael Chopra is adjudged to have handled the ball. Adrian Mariappa restarts play with the free kick.
23:57 GOAL - Peter Whittingham:Watford 0 - 1 Cardiff Peter Whittingham scores a power penalty. Watford 0-1 Cardiff.
22:50 Penalty awarded for an unfair challenge on Jay Bothroyd by Craig Cathcart.
21:05 Unfair challenge on Mark Hudson by Danny Graham results in a free kick. David Marshall restarts play with the free kick.
19:19 Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Don Cowie played to the near post, Jay Bothroyd manages to make a clearance.
19:05 Danny Graham takes a shot. Blocked by Mark Hudson.
18:39 The ball is crossed by Michael Chopra, clearance made by Lee Hodson.
16:22 Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Don Cowie played to the near post, Anthony Gerrard manages to make a clearance.
16:08 Tom Cleverley takes a shot. Chris Burke gets a block in.
15:10 Unfair challenge on Danny Graham by Stephen McPhail results in a free kick. Shot on goal comes in from Don Cowie from the
free kick,
14:48 Chris Burke takes a shot. Save by Scott Loach.
12:35 Foul by Craig Cathcart on Jay Bothroyd, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Jay Bothroyd.
12:20 Don Cowie crosses the ball, Adam Matthews manages to make a clearance.
10:52 The offside flag is raised against Michael Chopra. Scott Loach takes the indirect free kick.
9:50 Tom Cleverley gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Gavin Rae. Free kick taken by Stephen McPhail.
7:23 Shot from just outside the area by Jay Bothroyd misses to the left of the target.
5:54 The ball is swung over by Chris Burke.
3:43 Unfair challenge on Chris Burke by Lloyd Doyley results in a free kick. Peter Whittingham takes the direct free kick.
3:31 Don Cowie gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Peter Whittingham. Direct free kick taken by Stephen McPhail.
2:44 The ball is swung over by Will Hoskins, Mark Hudson manages to make a clearance.
1:25 Outswinging corner taken by Peter Whittingham, Headed effort from the edge of the area by Anthony Gerrard goes wide of the
right-hand post.
0:00 The ref blows the whistle to begin the match.
Live text and data provided by The Press Association.
~RS~a~RS~International~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~34~RS~){kind=small}
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~34~RS~)
E-mail this to a friend
Printable version
Bookmark with:
What are these?