Watford substitutes Edo Kayembe and Kwadwo Baah scored late goals to complete a second-half turnaround against Middlesbrough.

After a dominant first half, Boro broke the deadlock nine minutes into the second through George Edmundson’s goal.

Watford manager Tom Cleverley made crucial changes soon afterwards and midfielder Kayembe struck a venomous strike from the edge of the area past Boro keeper Seny Dieng, before German winger Baah smashed in the winner.

With their fifth win of the season, the Hornets moved up to sixth in the Championship, while Middlesbrough dropped one place to ninth.

Boro boss Michael Carrick would have been happy if his side had enjoyed 68% possession in the first half, and Finn Azaz headed a free header wide of Watford’s goal in the opening five minutes.

After a quick counter-attack, Hornets striker Daniel Jebbison’s cross fell kindly for Tom Ince in the penalty area on the half-hour mark after Hackney’s poor clearance, with the winger firing over the bar.

Once again on the counter, Moussa Sissoko sent a dangerous low cross into the penalty area for Ince, but he missed the ball completely.

Emmanuel Latte Lath had a golden opportunity to put the visitors ahead just before half-time, nodding a looping Azaz ball over the crossbar, but Boro finally broke the deadlock in the 54th minute.

The industrious Azaz won a free-kick wide and his low ball squirmed between Ken Sema’s legs, giving centre-back Edmundson space to fire past the helpless Jonathan Bond.

Cleverley brought in three substitutes shortly afterwards, completely turning the tide.

Kayembe fired a fine left-footed strike from the edge of the box to spark a comeback after being tethered by Baah on the right wing.

After barely having the ball, Watford attacked in the final ten minutes and the impressive Baah scored a fantastic volley thanks to fellow substitute Ryan Andrews’ long throw.

Watford manager Tom Cleverley told BBC Three Counties Radio:

“It’s part of our game that we seem to score in every game. Our chance creation, the quality of chances we create and our goal record is really good this season.

“The goals are good, the home form is good, now we just have to figure out the away form and not give away enough chances.

“Baah has had a fantastic impact in the main squad this season with Edo Kayembe scoring four league goals from midfield.

“I’m really happy with the impact they’ve had and when you play three games in seven at the start of these weeks you use the whole squad.”

Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick told BBC Radio Tees:

“That’s football and it’s such a difficult place. We have to look at ourselves. We let the game go at the end.”

“We were very good for three quarters of the game. We have to accept that and we have to get better at that.

“Regardless of the odds, we played the game where we wanted him. We were 1-0 up in a very commanding position and we let him go.”