LONDON - Watford got their Championship promotion campaign back on track as Troy Deeney's hat-trick inspired a 5-0 thrashing of 10-man Fulham on Friday.
Watford's English forward Troy Deeney celebrates scoring a goal during a match in Manchester on January 25, 2014
Slavisa Jokanovic's side were in danger of slipping out of the race for automatic promotion to the Premier League after losing their last four matches.
But the Hornets moved up to sixth place -- within two points of the top two -- thanks to Deeney's treble and two goals from Almen Abdi at Craven Cottage.
Watford had won just once since October, while Fulham were looking for a fifth win in six home games.
But Abdi opened the scoring with a deflected free-kick in the 15th minute and Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli was sent off three minutes later for clipping Matej Vydra as the Czech striker attempted to round him, earning Watford a penalty which Deeney converted.
Deeney took his tally for the season to six when he prodded home eight minutes before the break.
Six minutes into the second half, Abdi collected Vydra's pass and slammed a curling drive into the top corner from 25 yards.
Deeney completed his hat-trick in stoppage time, racing clear to beat substitute goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly.