Matej Vydra scored his 20th goal of the season to give promotion-chasing Watford a half-time advantage over Derby County at Vicarage Road this afternoon.

With second-placed Hull City currently losing 3-0 at Bolton Wanderers, victory for Watford this afternoon would see them climb into the Championship automatic promotion places.

Vydra has put them on course for maximum points with a 44th-minute goal, striking in off the post from the edge of the area.

The Udinese loanee had earlier been denied by a parried save from Adam Legzdins, while Alexandre Geijo blazed the rebound over the crossbar.

Ikechi Anya was also guilty of a glaring miss when he sliced wide after being picked out at the back post by a Vydra cross.