London: Watford clinched promotion to the Premier League in dramatic fashion as their rivals slipped up in the final seconds on Saturday.
Slavisa Jokanovic’s side had moved to the brink of reaching the top-flight with a 2-0 win at Brighton earlier in the day, yet it seemed like the Championship leaders would be made to wait for promotion by the results of the chasing pack.
But fourth-placed Norwich conceded an equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Rotherham and third-placed Middlesbrough slumped to a 4-3 defeat at Fulham after conceding a last-minute goal.
That was enough to seal Watford’s return to the Premier League after an eight-year absence with one match remaining and they will be crowned Championship winners if second-placed Bournemouth lose to Bolton on Monday.
It was the perfect end to a day that started promisingly for the Hornets as they eased to a fifth successive victory thanks to goals from Troy Deeney and Matej Vydra.
Deeney broke the deadlock with his 21st goal of the season in the 29th minute.
A cross by Odion Ighalo was only half cleared by defender Greg Halford and the ball fell kindly for Deeney to smash home.
Deeney then slipped in Vydra for his 15th goal of the season to wrap up a victory that secured promotion just hours later.
“It was a relief. Brighton pressed at the start and the end of the game, so it was an important second goal,” former Chelsea midfielder Jokanovic said.
“It’s very important for us to keep going for 46 games. I don’t have any plans for tonight and tomorrow. I will be preparing for the next game.”
