Troy Deeney's first league goal of the season has sent Watford into half time with a 1-0 lead over Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium.

The visitors were first to threaten as Deeney powered his way into the area in the third minute, but the forward's shot was snuffed out by the back-peddling Glen Johnson.

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Stoke were equal to the early pressure and staged an attack of their own on the counter in the seventh minute, a move that ended with Charlie Adam firing wide.

The Potters continued to press Norwich, but were restricted to long-range efforts for the most part, including a 30-yard screamer from Adam that flew over the bar in the 27th minute.

Mark Hughes's side should have taken the lead on the half-hour mark when Xherdan Shaqiri's cross fell invitingly for Marko Arnautovic in front of goal, but the Austrian could only head over.

Watford were left wondering how the deadlock was still intact in the 38th minute as they struck the crossbar twice in rapid succession, first through Ikechi Anya, and then Deeney on the follow-up.

However, Deeney's lengthy wait for a Premier League goal came to an end two minutes before half time as he collected a pass from strike partner Odion Ighalo and lashed one beyond Jack Butland to open the scoring.