Troy Deeney has come up with a captain’s goal for Watford at Brighton and Hove Albion and it is a strike that means the Hornets lead the Seagulls 1-0 at half time of their crucial Championship clash.

The opening 45 minutes certainly haven't been comfortable watching for the Golden Boys supporters.

Nerves are undoubtedly shredded but thanks to Deeney’s 21st goal of the campaign Watford are halfway to another vital win in the race for automatic promotion to the Premier League.

Slavisa Jokanovic made three changes to the Hornets starting XI. Matthew Connolly, Ikechi Anya and Odion Ighalo came in for Tommie Hoban, Miguel Layun and Matej Vydra.

It wasn’t a complete surprise that Watford made a nervous start. Their hesitancy was almost punished in the opening minute as the ball was worked to Chris O’Grady 12 yards from goal but his shot was crucially blocked by Gabriele Angella.

The Golden Boys first opportunity arrived soon after. Ighalo collected a pass and hooked a pass forward to Deeney. The striker looked offside but play was allowed to continue and his low strike was saved by David Stockdale.

Brighton knew their threat of relegation had effectively ended in midweek after Millwall’s defeat at Blackburn Rovers and the hosts played with a freedom that comes without pressure.

They moved the ball swiftly across the pitch and Watford struggled to contain the home side. Joe Bennett fired wide and then Greg Halford headed over from a corner.

Jokanovic had seen enough and in the 25th minute he made a change. Daniel Tozser replaced Anya and Watford switched from a 3-5-2 system to a 4-1-2-1-2 formation. It paid instant reward.

From the Hornets’ next attack they went in front. Connolly delivered a hopeful cross into the Brighton penalty area and the ball was headed into the air.

It eventually fell to the feet of Ighalo who poked a pass to Deeney. He remained cool, shifted the ball onto his right foot and lashed his shot past Stockdale.

Watford had the lead they craved but Brighton poured men forward in search of an equaliser. Having nothing to play for allows that gung-ho attitude. 

O’Grady had another sight of goal but his 20-yard shot was excellently saved by Gomes and the Hornets managed to scramble the resultant corner clear.

Brighton continued to apply pressure during the remainder of the half but the Golden Boys managed to keep the hosts at bay. 

An even more nervy second period awaits. 

Brighton and Hove Albion: Stockdale, Bruno, Greer, Dunk, Halford, Bennett, Forster-Caskey, Stephens, Kayal, Carayol, O'Grady.

Brighton and Hove Albion substitutes: Walton, Hughes, Calderon, Ince, LuaLua, Mackail-Smith, Best.

Watford: Gomes; Angella, Cathcart, Connolly; Paredes, Abdi, Watson, Guedioura, Anya (Tozser 25); Ighalo, Deeney.

Watford substitutes: Bond, Layun, Forestieri, Vydra, Hoban, Motta