A blistering and brilliant second-half performance saw Watford sweep aside Stoke and make it three wins from three with a 3-0 success at sun-drenched Vicarage Road.

There wasn’t much in it during a tight opening 45 minutes, but the Hornets took full control after the restart and raced into a 2-0 lead after 49 minutes.

From then on they ran the show and could have easily had more than the three goals they did score as they registered 17 goals attempts in a magnificent second-half display.

There was only one changing to the team that started against Millwall at The Den a week ago, and that was James Morris coming in to play on the left side of the back three with Ryan Porteous dropping to the bench with a slight illness.

Tom Ince was back on the bench after his midweek cup hat-trick, as well as fellow Carabao Cup scorer Kwadwo Baah.

It was a very tight and even first half, with the visitors starting brightly and having the better of things before Watford settled and started to pose a threat down both flanks.

There were few clear chances though, although Ryan Andrews almost caught out City keeper Johansson when his low drive from angle came back off the base of the post.

The second half, though, was a totally different story.

From the off Watford took a stranglehold on the game and attacked freely with confidence and alacrity, pushing the visitors back.

Two goals in as many minutes before the 50-minute mark was their reward, and from then on the Hornets bossed proceedings as they created a strong of chances with some free-flowing attacking football down both flanks.

The result was never in doubt once it became 3-0 and the Hornets ran out deserved comprehensive winners.

Here’s how the action unfolded:

2 - Lofted cross drops at the feet of Laurent, but his first-time shot is blocked by Bachmann

7 - Chakvetadze picked out Andrews on the right, he controlled the ball and then with Johansson probably expecting a cross, fired a low shot which clipped the base of the post.

18 - Ball was laid back to Tezgel on the corner of the box and his low drive went past the diving Bachmann and wide of the upright.

26 - Chakvetadze laid the ball off to Ngakia who moved inside and struck a shot that Johansson had to parry. Stoke didn't clear properly and when Morris lobbed the ball back into the box it came back off the bar and landed kindly for the back-tracking keeper.

38 - Patient build-up ends with Dele-Bashiru rolling the ball to Sissoko but his 20-yard shot is straight at Johansson.

41 - Laurent got the better of Morris down the right but his low shot was held by Bachmann.

42 - Corner twice cleared and eventually the ball runs to Andrews who shoots over the bar from 30 yards.

Half-time – Watford 0 Stoke City 0

47 – Watford 1 (Kayembe) Stoke 0

Chakvetadze saw Andrews in space on the right and sprayed the ball out. The wing-back cut in and shot, Johansson parried and Kayembe pounced to flick the ball into the net.

49 – Watford 2 (Andrews) Stoke 0

Larouci cut in from the left and drilled an angled cross-shot, the ball ran loose and Andrews dashed in to thump it home.

52 - Short corner saw Dele-Bashiru cross and Pollock tried an audacious overhead kick which went wide of the post.

54 - Tremendous turn in midfield from Chakvetadze before a burst forward. He had options left and right, his first pass was blocked but he nudged the loose ball into the path of Kayembe, who fired over from 20 yards.

56 - Larouci danced inside and saw a shot blocked, the ball ran to Kayembe and he hammered it against the bar from 12 yards.

64 - Larouci did so well to dig out a cross from the left, Bayo stooped to head it past Johansson but it was hacked off the line.

68 - Chakvetadze broke and then slid in Larouci on the left of the box. He sent in a low first-time cross which just eluded the incoming Rajovic.

73 – Watford 3 (Kayembe) Stoke 0

What a lovely move. Larouci stole the ball inside his own half, and then sent Chakvetadze away. He accelerated towards the ball and then moved the ball to his right for Kayembe to smash a shot past Johansson and in off the underside of the bar.

79 - Rare moment of threat from Stoke as Junho moves inside from the left and shoots wide.

81 - What a goal that would have been! Larouci and Dele-Bashiru play a wonderful one-two, and the wing-back attacks down the left and moves the ball inside for Chakvetadze to send a curling shot just over the top.

85 - Stoke's best chance as Koumas gets behind Sierralta and only has Bachmann to beat, but the keeper makes himself big and blocks.

Watford: Bachmann; Pollock, Sierralta, Morris; Andrews, Dele-Bashiru (Louza 90), Sissoko, Ngakia (Larouci ht); Chakvetadze (Baah 84), Kayembe; Bayo (Rajovic 66). Subs: Bond, Porteous, Ince, Vata, Sema