Fulham vs. Watford Live Blog: Instant Reaction and Analysis

Ten-man Fulham were hammered 5-0 by Watford at Craven Cottage to take the Hornets back into the Championship play-off places.

Almen Abdi put the Hornets' ahead after 15 minutes with a low, driven free kick.

Before the Cottagers could respond, they found themselves losing 2-0 and down to 10 men inside 20 minutes as Marcus Bettinelli brought down Matej Vydra in the box.

Troy Deeney, who converted the resulting penalty, then added a third goal before the break as the Hornets dominated the first half from start to finish.

Shortly after the restart, Abdi grabbed a brace to remove any traces of doubt with a magnificent strike into the top corner.

Not to be outdone, Deeney completed the rout and his hat-trick with a cool finish in stoppage time.

Watford move up to sixth in the table, and have firmly re-established themselves as promotion contenders after stopping a run of four consecutive defeats.

Fulham remain four points above the drop zone, but the game is only their second defeat in their last nine.

Kit Symons' men will need to put this blip behind them in order to continue their rise up the table.

Second half: Fulham 0-5 Watford

Abdi 15', 51', Deeney (pen) 19', 37', 90+3'

Bettinelli s/o