Watford Edge Past Stoke City with Late Winner at Vicarage Road

21 December 2025 Match Report

Hornets Maintain Unbeaten Home Run with Crucial Victory

Luca Kjerrumgaard scored the winner 16 minutes from time as Watford beat Stoke City 1-0 at Vicarage Road on Saturday afternoon in a crucial EFL Championship encounter. The victory holds significant importance for both clubs as they navigate the competitive middle section of the Championship table, with Watford ranked 14th, while Stoke City hold 7th position.

Breaking Down the Meanest Defence

The match proved to be a tense affair as Watford finally found a way through the meanest defence in the Championship to beat Stoke 1-0 with Luca Kjerrumgaard’s second-half goal. The Danish striker was on target in the 74th minute to stretch the Hornets’ unbeaten home run to nine matches, and they have lost just once in their last 10 home and away. The breakthrough came when Louza’s free-kick from wide on the left was headed across the box by Hector Kyprianou and Kjerrumgaard met it at the far post to fire home right-footed.

Playoff Push Continues for Watford

Luca Kjerrumgaard’s second-half goal extended the Hornets’ Championship unbeaten run to four matches and moved them to within three points of the play-offs. Manager Javi Gracia expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, particularly highlighting the importance of maintaining defensive solidity. The result demonstrates Watford’s growing consistency as they aim to break into the top-six positions.

Significance for Championship Promotion Race

This result carries major implications for both clubs’ aspirations. For Watford, the victory keeps their playoff ambitions alive and demonstrates their ability to compete against teams in the upper half of the table. It was another blow to Stoke’s hopes of breaking into the top six, despite the Potters’ strong defensive record throughout the season. As the Championship campaign enters its crucial mid-season phase, every point becomes vital for teams targeting promotion, making matches like this decisive in shaping the final table standings.