Masterful Viduka is double trouble as woeful Watford wave the white flag

Forget the arithmetic, this was the day Watford waved the white flag and said goodbye to the Premiership, where Middlesbrough will be playing next season.

Doubts had surfaced in the minds of some Boro supporters after recent timid displays but they were so superior to a Watford side, described as "lacklustre" by their manager Aidy Boothroyd, they looked like world beaters.

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"That's what hurts me most," said Boothroyd. "Boro won't think they have even been in a game. The only Watford people to come out with any credit are our travelling support. The team was absolutely nowhere near what is needed.

"Last week against Chelsea we weren't autograph-hunting but we were today. The team was the same, it was a different system, but for whatever reason the attitude was all wrong.

"I don't care if we are up against multi-millionaires. We can achieve things with the right attitude but this was a massive disappointment.

"The teams around us look like they are having a go and the league position doesn't lie."

Upset by Boro fans' reaction to three scoreless and largely spineless performances, manager Gareth Southgate claimed his players had raised their work ethic in training and it certainly showed in a performance that defused any anxieties.

Within five minutes, Adam Johnson had teased the life out of Watford's retreating defenders and, in company with fellow winger Stewart Downing, set up Mark Viduka for a tap-in.

Although Damien Francis supplied Watford's one crumb of comfort with a sweet equalising volley in the 23rd minute, Boro took only four minutes to reassert their authority. Johnson, a blossoming talent, was the architect, with captain George Boateng the executioner.

Boothroyd watched in disbelief as his defence was torn to shreds. But for a goalkeeping masterclass from Ben Foster, the visitors would have suffered even deeper humiliation than a scoreline which brought Boro revenge for being one of only three teams beaten by Watford this season.

Viduka has brains to go with brawn and his all-round game was too much for centre-back Danny Shittu, who was left bewildered and sitting on his backside as the Australian toyed with him before dispatching the third goal.

Viduka also teed up a rare strike for Fabio Rochemback and the fans chanted "sign him up" as the big striker departed to a hero's reception.

Talks are ongoing about renewing Viduka's contract but Southgate said: "I am very relaxed about it. Mark is enjoying his football. When you are close to the end of a contract there is plenty to think about but I am hopeful it will be resolved shortly."

And on the game, Southgate said: "It was a nice reaction after last week. It didn't make up for it but whenever we have had a must-win game the players have responded and I thought they did very well."