Leeds moved up to second in the Sky Bet Championship as two goalkeeping blunders by Watford’s Daniel Bachmann helped them to a 2-1 win at Elland Road.
The Austria keeper was at fault for both Leeds’ goals as they raced into a 2-0 lead inside the opening seven minutes through Largie Ramazani and Brenden Aaronson.
Kwadwo Baah pulled one back for Watford, who were much improved in the second half, but Leeds held on for back-to-back home wins in the space of five days.
Daniel Farke’s side extended their unbeaten league run to six matches and have now lost one of their first 11, while Watford slipped to a fifth straight league defeat on the road.
Hornets’ boss Tom Cleverley made six changes after Saturday’s 3-0 derby defeat at Luton, but his new-look line-up could hardly have made a worst start.
Watford had conceded 11 goals in their previous four away league games and after Bachmann’s two howlers inside the opening seven minutes, they quickly found themselves 2-0 down.
Ramazani cut inside on the left and fired an angled drive straight at the Austria keeper, who inadvertently palmed the ball over his goal-line to literally hand Leeds a fourth-minute lead.
The home side doubled their advantage three minutes later when Bachmann parried Willy Gnonto’s cross directly into Aaronson’s path and the USA midfielder converted his third league goal of the season.
Ramazani limped out of the action soon after – he was replaced by Tottenham loanee Manor Solomon – and Watford enjoyed a spell of possession to restore a semblance of order after their calamitous start.
Bachmann redeemed himself a little when he blocked Gnonto’s goal-bound shot at his near post, while Giorgi Chakvetadze forced Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier into a flying save with Watford’s first effort in the 39th minute.
The visitors’ second, two minutes after half-time, put them back in the match.
Baah got beyond Pascal Struijk to the by-line and when his cross came back to him off Joe Rodon, the German forward rifled home the rebound.
Watford appeared transformed and Leeds all of a sudden found themselves in a feisty battle in a bid to hold on to their lead.
Watford boss Cleverley was booked for protesting before his side threatened again when Meslier turned away Tom Ince’s free-kick.
Jayden Bogle’s cross-cum-shot at the other end then struck a post and Mateo Joseph headed straight at Bachmann from fellow substitute Daniel James’ cross.
James was denied by Bachmann’s superb save in the closing stages and although Watford failed to create any late chances, home nerves were left frayed in eight minutes of stoppage time.
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