Moussa Sissoko grabbed a second-half winner as Watford came from behind to beat a battling Derby County and make it three Championship wins from three this season.
The Hornets trailed inside two minutes to a fine low Ebou Adams strike.
But Vakoun Bayo’s outrageous scissor kick drew the hosts level, before a fiery end to the first half saw Rams assistant boss Richie Barker sent off.
And captain Sissoko’s close-range effort ensured a fourth win in all competitions for Tom Cleverley’s free-scoring side.
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Watford’s chances of starting a season with three straight league wins for just the fifth time in their history took a hit within 120 seconds as Kayden Jackon’s cross picked out Adams, who found the bottom corner.
But the Hornets, who had scored 11 goals in winning all their games so far this season remained calm, playing with confidence and dominating possession.
Mattie Pollock was just off target with a long-range effort and also went close with a header, while fellow centre-half Francisco Sierralta sent a header just wide.
Bayo’s stunning mid-air scissor kick from Pollock’s long diagonal pass restored parity into the bottom corner.
A frantic end to the first half saw referee Geoff Eltringham dismiss Barker after a fracas involving staff from both dugouts and Bayo nearly make it 2-1 from a tight angle.
A draw seemed likely as a second half of few chances drew to a close, but Sissoko’s first goal in his second spell at Watford earned maximum points.
Sissoko ‘pivotal’ – what the managers said
Watford manager Tom Cleverley on match-winner Moussa Sissoko and fellow goalscorer Vakoun Bayo:
“He [Sissoko] is pivotal to what we are trying to do. He is our on-field organiser with his game intelligence and experience – and in these kind of moments he is different class.
“And when someone looks after their body the way he has his whole career the ageing process is a very slow one. He is one of those figures, when you line up against him he has got a presence, an aura. He is a winner so ticks a lot of boxes.
“It was a moment of magic from Bayo. It’s great technique. He does an absolutely fantastic job for the team.”
Derby boss Paul Warne:
“The volley [Bayo’s strike] was a joke and if I wasn’t working for Derby I would have clapped it.
“It was a pretty entertaining game. We came with a game plan to try and frustrate Watford.
“My disappointment was when we did have chances to counter, the final ball wasn’t good enough. You are only talking about six inches with the pass. My players can do it, I see them in training all the time.”
