Hull City 0 Watford 1: match report Watford, desperate to cut the gap, predictably fielded a line-up capable of taking the game to the home side, with dangerous striker Matej Vydra returning after being rested. Matthew Briggs made a costly error that led to a late equaliser against Burnley on Friday but he was kept in the side - although he was pushed forward to left midfield - while Marco Cassetti switched to left back. Hull were the better team in the early stages, and produced the first attempt when Alex Bruce's long-range shot went over. Watford settled midway through the first half, making inroads of their own with some well-constructed moves often involving midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah. Almen Abdi should have done better when he sliced over from 30 yards, then Cristian Battocchio sent an angled strike just over. Abdoulaye Faye was then called upon to block a Vydra strike. Zola was forced into some reorganisation, however, when Fitz Hall hobbled off and he was replaced by Lloyd Doyley, who was making his 400th appearance for Watford. Hull regained some attacking momentum when Robbie Brady fired over from 20 yards. Soon afterwards, Robert Koren delivered a useful corner that was headed on by Faye before Jack Hobbs nodded the ball into goalkeeper Bond's arms. Deeney started making his presence felt just before half-time though, and was denied one shooting chance by a saving tackle from James Chester. He was soon celebrating though, after being given far too much time and space, allowing him to collect Abdi's delivery and unleash a powerful 25-yard effort beyond the reach of goalkeeper David Stockdale to give the visitors the lead. There was nearly an instant response from Hull after Ahmed Elmohamady's hooked pass from the left, which was met by unmarked Boyd 10 yards out, but Bond reacted brilliantly to save. Hull played with more vigour early in the second half as Elmohamady crossed for Koren, who shot over. Watford then had a major scare as Simpson shot from the edge of the area but, with the ball looking goalbound, Bond got a touch that sent it spinning agonisingly wide. Bond saved again from a swift turn and shot by Koren. Zola's team began offering as an attacking force again, with Vydra striking over from 22 yards and Deeney forcing Stockdale to parry. Hull kept committing numbers forward in the latter stages, but were restricted to long-range attempts with Koren having another effort, this time from around 30 yards, charged down. Hull City (3-5-2): Stockdale; Chester, Hobbs, Bruce; Elmohamady, Koren, Faye, Boyd, Brady; Gedo, Simpson. Substitutes: Jakupovic (g), Rosenior, Evans, Cairney, Fathi, Quinn, Proschwitz. Watford (3-5-2): Bond; Ekstrand, Hall (Doyley 23), Cassetti; Anya, Chalobah, Battocchio, Abdi, Briggs; Vydra, Deeney. Substitutes: Bonham (g), Yeates, Pudil, Buaben, Geijo, Forestieri. Referee: Robert Madley (Yorkshire).