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Othmane Maamma's fine strike was his third goal in his past six appearances Othmane Maamma's delightful strike sparked a stylish fightback as Watford moved to the verge of the Championship play-off spots with victory over faltering Leicester City. The inconsistent Foxes, who have now lost back-to-back games, led a frantic, chance-laden Boxing Day contest inside 10 minutes thanks to a measured Jordan James strike. But Maamma's sublime finish with the outside of his right boot drew the Hornets level just before the interval. The open nature continued on the resumption with both sides creating and wasting excellent opportunities, but it was Watford who took the points through defender Mattie Pollock's brave header. Both the Watford goals were the result of clever thinking and equally smart delivery by the outstanding Imran Louza and means his side are now just a point and two places outside the play-off spots thanks to a third win in a five-game unbeaten run. The prospect of an away win looked unlikely when James set the tone for an exhilarating afternoon with a shrewd finish, shifting the ball to his right foot and shooting low into the far corner after some neat team interplay on the edge of the box Both sides wasted good opportunities thereafter before the visitors got back on terms just before the break through Maamma's delicious first-time finish with the outside of his right boot following Louza's lay-off. The parity was well deserved, Watford having gone close through Luca Kjerrumgaard and also seeing a Pollock header ruled out for offside from a corner. But Leicester, who have now picked up just 14 points from their past 13 games and were booed off at the end, will be rueing a glorious chance to go 2-0 ahead when Watford keeper Egil Selvik made amends for his dreadful clearance by pushing away Stephy Mavididi's low strike. Leicester City boss Marti Cifuentes told BBC Radio Leicester: "It is difficult to swallow. We started the game well and we tried to push on and get a bigger score but we conceded after a mistake. "We spoke at half-time that we had to keep our heads up and keep pushing, but we didn't play a good second half. "Their winning goal was after a sequence of mistakes but we need to be accountable. We didn't push on in the second half to put pressure on to create chances. "We need to do better; the players have more quality than they are showing. "There are things we needed to change since I came here but it is not quick. But in football it is all about the next opportunity and there is no hiding. We have to do better. " Watford boss Javi Gracia told BBC Three Counties Radio: "We know the quality of their team and the individuals well. We were aware about the way to prepare knowing we needed to defend well but also show our quality - and we did. "We conceded an early goal; they scored with their first opportunity but we kept believing in our plan and in the end we got what we wanted. I am really happy for the players and the supporters. "It is always difficult to play away but all the members of the team are improving. We are growing as a team. "Many people speak about solidarity and helping each other and we have to show that on the pitch. "Today we showed a good face and the spirit we need. It means we could show our quality. " After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users. Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 26th December 2025 at 18: 55 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Martí Cifuentes Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Javier Gracia Formation: 4 - 4 - 2 Manager: Martí Cifuentes Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Javier Gracia Formation: 4 - 4 - 2 Championship All competitions All competitions All competitions Leicester have won each of their last four league games against Watford, their longest ever winning run against the Hornets. Watford have won just one of their last 14 away league games against Leicester (D2 L11), losing each of the last seven in a row. In English Football League history, only Newcastle (47) and Burnley (45) have lost more games on Boxing Day than Leicester (43). Indeed, the Foxes have won just one of their last 11 such games (D2 L8), beating Man City 2-1 in 2018. Watford beat Portsmouth 2-1 on Boxing Day last season but haven’t won consecutive Boxing Day matches since a run of six between 1988 and 1994. Watford have won just one of their last 16 away league games (D5 L10) and haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their last 15 on the road, last having a longer run between April 2012 and January 2013 (16). Match ends, Leicester City 1, Watford 2. Second Half ends, Leicester City 1, Watford 2. Foul by Vivaldo Semedo (Watford). Ben Nelson (Leicester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Jeremy Ngakia (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Aaron Ramsey (Leicester City). Corner, Leicester City. Conceded by Jeremy Ngakia. Substitution, Watford. James Morris replaces Giorgi Chakvetadze. Corner, Watford. Conceded by Hamza Choudhury. Fourth official has announced 5 minutes of added time. Attempt missed. Abdul Fatawu (Leicester City) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Silko-Amari Thomas. Attempt blocked. Jordan Ayew (Leicester City) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Substitution, Leicester City. Hamza Choudhury replaces Oliver Skipp. Substitution, Leicester City. Silko-Amari Thomas replaces Ricardo Pereira. Attempt missed. Imrân Louza (Watford) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Vivaldo Semedo following a fast break. Attempt saved. Nestory Irankunda (Watford) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner by Jakub Stolarczyk (Leicester City). Assisted by Giorgi Chakvetadze. Vivaldo Semedo (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Caleb Okoli (Leicester City). Substitution, Watford. Moussa Sissoko replaces Othmane Maamma. Substitution, Watford. Vivaldo Semedo replaces Luca Kjerrumgaard. Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.