Watford will end 2014 neatly nestled in the Championship play-off positions after the Hornets clinched an impressive 4-2 away victory against Cardiff City.

Adlene Guedioura was the catalyst for the Golden Boys’ victory. He equalised late in the first half before giving the visitors breathing space with a sumptuous third.

Odion Ighalo had put Watford ahead in-between the Algerian’s two goals and Gabriele Angella headed home the fourth late on.

Adam Le Fondre’s opener for Cardiff was a distant memory by full time and Kenwyne Jones 91st minute goal was only a consolation.

Slavisa Jokanovic said prior to the Christmas fixtures that he would have to rotate his side to avoid fatigue.

He was true to his word, although the poor display two days earlier probably made it easier to rotate.

There were six changes to the Hornets side which lost against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Boxing Day.

In came Angella, Tommie Hoban, Daniel Pudil, Guedioura, Ighalo and Fernando Forestieri.

The switches perhaps explained Watford’s brisk start. Almen Abdi forced David Marshall into a good near-post save before Daniel Pudil fired wide from distance.

Cardiff saw out the early pressure and began to control the half. Peter Wittingham came close for the hosts as he curled a 25-yard free kick wide of Heurelho Gomes’ post.

It was a warning shot which wasn’t heeded by Watford. From their next free-kick Cardiff went ahead.

Gianni Munari conceded a foul on the edge of the penalty area, Wittingham curled in a cross and Le Fondre glanced the ball into the corner.

Cardiff were buoyed by the opener and created good opportunities to add to their lead. Craig Noone whipped a shot from distance just wide before Le Fondre tamely toe-poked into the arms of Gomes from the edge of the penalty area.

Cardiff faded as an attacking threat as the opening 45 minutes progressed. It allowed Jokanovic’s side time in possession and the Hornets advanced into several promising positions.

However, the final pass or cross was poor on too many occasions. But, four minutes before the interval, Watford got it right – although it took two attempts.

Patient build up play saw Ighalo break behind the Cardiff defence. His low cross was met by Forestieri four yards out but the forward could only bundle the ball towards goal. Marshall saved but the hosts defence failed to clear.

Ighalo collected and passed to Munari. He flighted a cross to the near post and Guedioura steered his volley into the corner.

On the balance of play the Hornets deserved to be level, however, they weren’t at the break. The visitors led.

Another fine cross, this time from Pudil, found Ighalo and he nodded the ball home to give the Golden Boys a 2-1 lead at the break.

Cardiff were booed off the field but their performance didn’t improve in the second half.

The Hornets continued to create opportunities. Ighalo did excellently to escape three defenders before his shot was blocked by Marshall and Guedioura then had an effort saved.

The home side couldn’t escape their funk whilst Watford were in the groove. Their passing was fast and effective and Cardiff struggled to contain the visitors.

But it was a moment of individual brilliance which led to the Hornets’ third goal. Guedioura the scorer and it is a strike which will be a contender for goal of the season.

The Crystal Palace loanee collected the ball 25 yards out, looked up and unleashed an unstoppable shot which clipped off the underside of the crossbar and ended in the net. ‘Sign him up’ chanted the travelling supporters.

With a two-goal cushion, Watford began to express themselves. Forestieri had the ball in the net but the goal was ruled out for offside before Hoban headed over a corner.

The Hornets were comfortable and a fourth looked inevitable. It arrived with eight minutes remaining.

Troy Deeney’s first touch after coming on as a substitute allowed him to collect the ball, he crossed with his second and Angella headed into the corner for Watford’s fourth.

The Hornets coasted through the final minutes and Cardiff were able to grab a second as Jones headed past Gomes.

Ighalo could have grabbed another for the visitors but missed from six yards after Deeney’s cross. Watford’s captain was frustrated but the wasted chance meant little.

The Watford fans were in full voice during the closing stages. It was a party atmosphere and the perfect way to end 2014. Although Cardiff fans are likely to disagree.

Cardiff City: Marshall; Brayford, John, Ecuele Manga, Morrison; Adeyemi (Harris 60) Gunnarsson (Ralls 60), Whittingham, Noone; Le Fondre (Macheda 76), Jones.

Cardiff City substitutes: Moore, Fabio, Connolly, Turner.

Watford: Gomes; Hoban, Cathcart, Angella; Paredes (Anya 70), Munari, Guedioura, Abdi (Tozser 76), Pudil; Ighalo, Forestieri (Deeney 81). 

Watford substitutes: Bond, Doyley, Murray, Vydra.