Watford have climbed to 13th in the Championship with a home win against Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Hornets had the first chance of the match with 10 minutes played, but Alexander Merkel drilled a shot a long way wide of Tomasz Kuszczak's goal.
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Andrea Orlandi then flashed a shot across the face of goal, while Fernando Forestieri saw his effort from Troy Deeney's flick saved by Kuszczak.
The hosts took the lead when Ikechi Anya found space in the box and slotted into the bottom corner.
Anya then had plenty of space down the left once again, advancing before drawing a save from Kuszczak with a long-range effort.
David Lopez fired wide after Manuel Almunia had cleared a Stephen Ward cross.
Orlandi's corner then picked out Matthew Upson, but the Albion defender was unable to direct his header on target.
Brighton substitute Kazenga LuaLua hammered a shot against the bar as the first half reached its conclusion.
Deeney fired a volley over the bar as the hosts pushed for a second goal after the break.
They didn't have long to wait, however. Forestieri dispossessed Gordon Greer 25 yards from goal, rounded Kuszczak and slotted home into an empty net.
Daniel Tozser curled wide from a free kick, but the Seagulls had a goal ruled out when Jose Ulloa was given offside after heading in Lopez's cross.
Gary Peters
