Goals from Odion Ighalo and Matthew Connolly have given Watford a 2-0 half-time lead away at Nottingham Forest.

Forest almost took the lead with the first attack of the game as the ball broke to Chris Burke at the far post, but he was denied by the legs of Heurelho Gomes.

However, Watford took the lead just two minutes later as an Almen Abdi corner was flicked to the back post, where Ighalo headed home.

The hosts responded well and forced Gomes into further saves from Michail Antonio and Ben Osborn from close range, before Abdi wasted a golden chance to put Watford 2-0 up as he toed the ball wide when one on one with the goalkeeper.

Both sides continued to create chances in an open game as Adlene Guedioura went close from just outside the box with a curling effort that went over the bar.

Antonio tested Gomes again with a stinging shot from 25 yards, before Forest keeper Karl Darlow was then forced into a low diving save to keep out an Abdi free kick.

Watford doubled their lead on the stroke of half time as Connolly played a one-two with Ighalo and slotted the ball past Darlow.