Imran Rouza played a starring role with two assists as Watford came from behind to beat Leicester 2-1, securing their first back-to-back wins of the season in the Sky Bet Championship.
Watford captain Louza teed up Osman Maamma just before half-time to equalize for the visitors, before crossing to Matty Pollock for a header in the 65th minute.
Leicester took the lead in the seventh minute when Jordan James deflected a pass from Jordan Ayew, but the Foxes were unable to equalize once Watford took the lead.
The Hornets are currently just one point out of the play-off places, while Leicester are now five points out of the top six and relegated to the bottom half of the table.
Despite Watford enjoying plenty of possession in the early stages, the Foxes broke the deadlock when James took advantage of a slight deflection to fire a low shot from just inside the box into the bottom left corner, just beyond Egil Selvik’s reach.
Watford found the back of the net four minutes later, but the goal was ruled out for offside after Marc Bourla forced Pollock’s first-time header from a corner kick from almost on the goal line.
The home side almost doubled their lead late in the first half when Selvik miscued Steffi Mavididi’s pass and tipped the midfielder’s shot back for a corner kick.
Watford broke down from a set-piece when Giorgi Chakvetadze broke through to pass to Luka Kjelmgaard, who fired a shot across the face of goal and harmlessly wide as his team-mates raced into the box.
Leicester looked set to extend their lead before half-time when Bobby de Córdoba-Reid curled a shot wide of the goal from outside the penalty area after some fine link-up with Ricardo Pereira.
However, the Hornets tied the score just before halftime. Caleb Okoli’s clearance was charged and Rousa played a pass past Ben Nelson and into the path of Maama. Maamma fired a shot from 12 yards remaining with the outside of his boot into the left corner of the goal.
The turnaround was completed after the first half when Pollock responded to Rouza’s cross from the right, beating Leicester goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk and heading a shot into the bottom right corner from four yards out.
Watford should have added another goal in the closing stages when substitute Vivaldo Semedo forced Louza into the net, but the midfielder’s shot went over the bar and Stralczyk was the only one to score.
managers
Leicester’s Marti Sifuentes:
“After the last game, we were looking for a response. We started the game well and took the lead, but it was very disappointing to concede a goal due to a mistake near half-time.
“We had to try not to let ourselves down, but we made another mistake on a set piece and it was difficult from there.
“Emotionally it’s not easy for the team at the moment. We didn’t play at our best level in the last quarter of the game and didn’t create enough pressure.
“It’s important that everyone takes responsibility. We have to have the mental resilience to deal with different situations. We can’t expect to win the game only when things go our way.
“We knew the challenges when we came here, but unfortunately there are some things we have to change and try to change certain dynamics.
“We all have the ability to be better and our fans deserve more than what we are currently offering.”
Watford’s Javi Gracia:
“The feeling that we are improving and the team is growing is better than some good results, and the results are the result of work.
“After they had the first chance, we believed in our plan and controlled the situation and at the end of the game we got what we wanted with three points.
“It took us a long time to get our first away win. Now we’ve got our second win. This is great for us. We understand all the hard work we’re doing to be able to compete like this.
“This is a Christmas present for our supporters. We have to show the important values on the pitch. That is the spirit we need: to come together, to support each other and help each other during the match.
“I trust all the players. I want to give them all more playing time. It’s impossible to play the same players every game.”
