Middlesbrough suffered a fourth defeat in five games after Watford’s Jose Holebas scored the only goal of the contest at the Riverside.
The Greek defender struck in from around twenty-yards early in the second-half to leave the Premier League newcomers still searching for a first home victory of the season.
Stewart Downing and Gaston Ramirez were both wide of the mark for them early on while Alvaro Negredo was involved in a couple of penalty shouts.
Defender Ben Gibson next fired wide from 25-yards and the already-cautioned Antonio Barragan escaped further punishment when bringing down Issac Success.
And it was Watford going in front soon after the restart when Marten de Roon cleared only as far as Holebas, who returned with interest into the top corner.
Boro’s Ramirez had further claims for a spot-kick before Negredo’s header from George Friend’s cross was saved low by Heurelho Gomes.
Hornets’ full debutant Success saw a later curled effort forcing home keeper Victor Valdes into action – but it was still his colleagues taking away the points.
Middlesbrough: Valdes, Barragan (Ayala 69), Chambers, Gibson, Friend, de Roon (Rhodes 88), Forshaw, Stuani (Traore 69), Ramirez, Downing, Negredo
subs (unused): Espinosa, Clayton, Fischer, Guzan
Watford: Gomes, Prodl, Kaboul, Britos (Kabasele 85), Behrami, Amrabat (Zuniga 72), Capoue, Pereyra, Holebas, Success (Watson 89), Deeney
subs (unused): Mariappa, Guedioura, Ighalo, Pantilimon
Goals: Holebas (54)
Ref: R. East
Att: 28,131
Share this article
