Watford progressed to the third round of the Carabao Cup for the first time in three years with a 2-0 win over Plymouth Argyle.

The Hornets rang the changes as expected and although at times that meant they lacked a bit of the cohesion and fluency of league games, they still looked too good for the visitors.

Mileta Rajovic again showed the box is his office with a couple of goals, while there was an impressive first start for Kwadwo Baah whose power and pace stretched the Argyle rearguard.

Many of the club’s young players got another run-out as the Hornets made it five straight wins for the first time since April 2021, and the first time at the start of a season since 2018.

As in the previous round of the competition, Cleverley made numerous changes to the starting line-up.

Only Francisco Sierralta, James Morris, Ryan Andrews and Tom Dele-Bashiru remained from the XI that started on Saturday.

After a slow start to the game, Watford were gifted their opener when keeper Grimshaw allowed a smart flick from Rajovic at the near-post to trickle between his legs.

Plymouth had a couple of moments but didn’t overly stretch Jonathan Bond, and the first half was overshadowed by an injury to Imran Louza and some bizarre bookings from referee Mr Davies.

After the break it was largely one-way traffic without a great deal of scoring opportunities until Rajovic finished well with Ryan Porteous again the provider.

It was a routine and relatively comfortable victory that can only increase the confidence levels and belief within the squad.

12 - Sorinola got away down the right and his driven low cross ran across the face of goal, forcing Andrews to hack clear from inside the six-yard box.

16 – Watford 1 (Rajovic) Plymouth 0

Howler from keeper Grimshaw as Rajovic meets Porteous' cross at the near post with a clever flick, there is little power yet the ball goes through the keeper's legs and rolls into the net.

23 – Louza limps off and Kayembe takes his place.

29 - Patient build-up ends with Ogbeta whipping in a cross which Bond does well to dive and hold.

30 - So nearly two as Rajovic heads down Baah's cross and Ince hooks a volley that Grimshaw does so well to tip round the post.

38 - Sema crossed and Ince tried an overhead kick. It was blocked but bounced to Rajovic and his shot was deflected wide.

39 - From the corner Sierralta rises highest but nods the ball wide.

42 - Wright gets in behind the Watford defence but shoots early, and sends it straight at Bond.

45+1 - Fast break from Sorinola who slides in Wright, but he slashes his shot across the face of goal.

Half-time – Watford 1 Plymouth 0

47 - Andrews swung over a cross from the right and Sema came in behind Rajovic to nod towards goal where Grimshaw pushed the ball wide.

66 - Rajovic did well to win a long ball and when it dropped Vata took it in his stride and then released a low shot that Grimshaw palmed round the upright.

70 - Grimshaw has made up for his earlier error there as Rajovic meets Morris' cross at close range, and the keeper dives to deflect it wide.

72 – Watford 2 (Rajovic) Plymouth 0

Plymouth never did clear a corner and when the ball is played back into the box, Porteous heads down, the ball takes a deflection off a defender and Rajovic hook a shot into the net.

75 - Andrews broke down the right and rolled the ball into the path of Sema who sent a rising shot into the side-netting.

82 - Plymouth's best chance as Hardie intercepts Andrews' pass back to Bond, but the forward hits the post with only the keeper to beat.

90+3 - Great chance for Vata as Kayembe's shot is deflected to him six yards out, but it arrives so fast he can only prod it wide.

Full-time - Watford 2 Plymouth 0

Watford: Bond; Porteous, Sierralta (Tikvic 64), Morris; Andrews, Dele-Bashiru (Ramirez-Espain 73), Louza (Kayembe 23), Sema; Ince, Baah (Rata 64); Rajovic (Doumbia 73). Subs: Marriott, Pollock, Sissoko, Larouci