This was a walkover , a day Reading undermined the race for Premier League promotion in a bid to reach Wembley . Steve Clarke 's decision to make nine changes is surely down to the ridiculous scheduling of Monday ’ s FA Cup quarter-final replay against Bradford , but some of his Championship counterparts might not be impressed . Young Reading were picked off by Watford . That ’ s not the fault of Clarke , the blame lying squarely with wretched broadcasting rules which deem domestic cup games can not be played on the same night as Champions League fixtures . Almen Abdi ( centre ) got Watford off to a dream start against Reading by scoring inside a minute . Watford striker Troy Deeney celebrates Abdi 's strike as the Hornets set the tone for the match early on . Watford ( 4-3-1-2 ) : Gomes 6.5 ; Motta 7.5 , Ekstrand 7 , Cathcart 6.5 , Pudil 7 ; Watson 8 , Guedioura 7 ( Layun 58 , 6 ) , Tozser 6 ; Abdi 7 ( Forestieri 7 , 8.5 ) ; Vydra 8 ( Angella 83 ) , Deeney 7.5 . Subs not used : Bond , Doyley , Paredes , Anya . Goals : Abdi 1 , Vydra 39 , Deeney 48 , Forestieri 85 . Reading ( 3-5-2 ) : Andersen 5 ; Keown 6 , Knight 6 ( Novakovich 86 ) , Cooper 5 ; Travner 5.5 , Akpan 6 , Guthrie 6 , Taylor 6 ( Karacan 59 , 7 ) , Stacey 6 ; Cox 6 ( Blackman 59 , 6 ) , Yakubu 6 . Subs not used : Lincoln , Long , Kuhl , Edwards . Goal : Karacan 70 . Referee : Darren Bond ( Lancashire ) Attendance : 16,600 . But other managers , particularly Mark Warburton and Steve McClaren - whose sides both dropped points - may talk of a duty of care to the league , even if Reading can do nothing but finish mid-table themselves . The average squad number of the visitors here was 26 , a statistic to tell all . Clarke is set to name a completely fresh XI tomorrow night and was understandably prickly when asked about the changes . ‘ What ramifications ? I can ’ t think for the life of me why there would be any ramifications - I ’ m not concerned whatsoever , ’ he said . I ’ m allowed to pick from my squad , so I ’ ll pick from my squad . I don ’ t understand. ’ Fifty-two seconds is all it took the hosts , Troy Deeney popping a neat ball into Almen Abdi , who stroked beyond Mikkel Anderson with the outside of his boot . Marco Motta ’ s stunning 30-yard half-volley cannoned off the bar six minutes later . Anderson then made an acrobatic save from early substitute Fernando Forestieri ’ s overhead kick , and this was put beyond doubt when Matej Vydra slipped his man and lifted into the net with ease before half-time . Prior to the match Watford players show their support for fan Nick Cruwys who was attacked last weekend . Matej Vydra doubled Watford 's lead shortly before half-time with a right-footed effort . Vyrdra ( right ) watches on as his shot goes past Reading goalkeeper Mikkel Andersen on 39 minutes . Just after the break Forestieri darted round his man at the byline , allowing Deeney to get in on the act , tapping home from inside the six-yard box . ‘ I ’ ve got to be happy today , ’ Hornets boss Slavisa Jokanovic said . ‘ Reading have an important game in front of them - I expected changes. ’ To their credit , Clarke ’ s side improved and he will leave Vicarage Road with some sense of satisfaction after Jem Karacan - making just his second appearance since September 2013 because of persistent knee problems - bent a classy consolation on his comeback . But Forestieri was to slam in a fourth late on , banging the club mascot ’ s drum in celebration . Back in the top two , more and more are banging the Premier League drum around these parts .
Watford took the lead within seconds through Almen Abdi 's strike . The Blues were level in the 67th minute when a header from James Maddison was deflected into his own net by goalkeeper David Marshall.