Viduka double signals Hornets goodbye

Mark Viduka's fifth-minute opener, his 13th goal of the season, got the Teessiders off to the perfect start, but it took another expert finish from the Australian 15 minutes from time to seal a first victory in four games for Gareth Southgate's men.

In the meantime, Damien Francis' 22nd-minute volley dragged the Hornets back into the game, but after George Boateng's shot hit team-mate Chris Riggott and looped into the net, there was only likely to be one winner.

But for Watford keeper Ben Foster, the visitors might have lost even more heavily, although even he could not prevent Fabio Rochemback from completing the job after 79 minutes.

Boro boss Gareth Southgate had winger Adam Johnson on the right flank with England midfielder Stewart Downing on the left. Johnson cut inside in the fifth minute to cross to the far post and Downing rose to nod the ball down for Viduka, who beat Foster.

Watford were level after 22 minutes. Defender Danny Shittu headed a long ball back across goal and Francis volleyed it home.

Their joy lasted only three minutes. Johnson's trickery allowed him to find Boateng, whose shot clipped Riggott's heels and ballooned past Foster.

Ayegbeni Yakubu wasted a glorious opportunity to make it 3-1 five minutes before the break and Foster kept out a Viduka drive seconds later.

Foster twice denied Yakubu after the break before Watford rallied briefly. Steve Kabba should have levelled after 63 minutes but headed Stewart's cross straight at Mark Schwarzer.

Viduka helped himself to a second with a calm finish 15 minutes from time before setting up Rochemback to complete the rout four minutes later.