Sunderland huffed and puffed at Vicarage Road but they returned to Wearside empty-handed as Miguel Britos’ header clinched a narrow win for Watford.
A combative opening period saw both sides craft openings, with M’Baye Niang and Abdoulaye Doucoure forcing Jordan Pickford into action before Adnan Januzaj went close.
The Hornets enjoyed more of the ball and with 59 minutes played they forced the opener line, as Britos rose highest at the back post to covert after Stefan Okaka’s initial effort clattered the crossbar.
Didier Ndong’s introduction saw a vast improvement in Sunderland’s play with the midfielder’s energy and control creating opportunities, but the Black cats failed to make them count as their wait for a win extended to five.
Sunderland were boosted by the return of Lamine Kone who partnered John O’Shea in the heart of defence, with England hero Jermain Defoe once again flanked by Fabio Borini and Januzaj.
But the biggest positive came from the bench as Lee Cattermole returned to the squad for the first time since September.
Over 2,000 members of the red and white army were in attendance and they witnessed a captivating start to the game, as Niang’s header deflected wide before Jack Rodwell’s 25-yard effort drifted behind.
On-loan Januzaj was the first man to test Heurelho Gomes as the Belgian’s cross evaded the Watford defence and curled towards goal, but the Brazilian reacted well to push the ball to safety.
And within seconds it was Jordan Pickford at the centre of the action, with the England international denying Niang before producing a wonderful stop to thwart Doucoure’s thunderous follow-up.
Etienne Capoue stood out from the start with the Black Cats struggling to get to grips with the marauding midfielder’s surging runs from deep, but it was from a wider position that he orchestrated the Hornet’s next opening.
After peeling off Bryan Oviedo, Capoue fizzed a cross towards the unmarked Stefano Okaka, but the striker failed to make it count sending a wayward header well off target.
Efforts continued to rain down on Pickford’s backline before the interval with Capoue and Niang letting fly, but the Hornets were dealt a blow on 42 minutes as Younes Kaboul limped down the tunnel to a standing ovation from the red and white army.
And the Black Cats almost took advantage, with Januzaj’s deflected effort bobbling inches wide as Gomes breathed a huge sigh of relief after scampering across his line in vain.
Moments after the restart a similar feeling was washing over those in red and white, with Defoe gingerly re-joining the player after receiving treatment.
Isaac Success entered the fray soon after and he almost opened the scoring in spectacular fashion, letting the ball drop out of the sky before volleying inches wide of the target.
It did take a slight deflection – and it proved decisive.
The resulting corner was powered against the crossbar by Okaka via Borini but Sunderland failed to clear, with Britos converting from close range following a chipped cross to the back post.
Watford’s opener sparked a change within the Black Cats’ ranks as Didier Ndong replaced Darrong Gibson, and the Gabon international made an immediate impact by bringing a real energy to Sunderland’s play.
Within the space of three minutes he picked out Januzaj on two occasions, but the first was charged down and the second forced a simple stop from Gomes.
The home side remained a threat on the break but with 84 minutes played Borini almost grabbed an equaliser, with Gomes flying through the air to turn the Italian’s effort behind.
Sunderland continued to push and Wahbi Khazri’s presence – on after 70 minutes – saw Watford put under more pressure, with the Tunisian’s delivery adding a new route to goal.
But was too little too late for the Black Cats as they returned to Wearside empty-handed.
Watford: Gomes, Britos, Kaboul (Janmaat 42), Amrabat (Success 53), Cleverley, Cathcart, Doucoure, Niang (Zuniga 86), Holebas, Capoue, Okaka.
Subs not used: Pantililom, Prodl, Mariappa, Deeney.
Sunderland: Pickford, O’Shea, Kone, Denayer, Jones, Oviedo, Gibson (Ndong 61), Rodwell, Januzaj (Khazri 70), Borini, Defoe.
Subs: Mannone, Djilobodji, Cattermole, Larsson, Manquillo.