Watford reignited their promotion dreams on Friday night, February 27, 2026, with a resilient 2-1 victory over Bristol City at Ashton Gate. A breathtaking long-range strike from Jeremy Ngakia proved to be the difference, as the Hornets leapfrogged their rivals into 7th place in the Sky Bet Championship.
The win marks a significant turning point for head coach Ed Still, securing his second victory in four games and moving Watford within striking distance of the final play-off spot currently held by Wrexham.
Kjerrumgaard Sets the Tempo
Watford started with intent, taking the lead after just seven minutes. Giorgi Chakvetadze drove forward from the left, finding Edo Kayembe, who played a delicate pass into Luca Kjerrumgaard. The Danish striker made no mistake, rifling the ball into the roof of the net for his 9th goal of the season.
The visitors nearly doubled their lead before the half-hour mark when Georgian international Saba Goglichidze met an inviting delivery from Imrân Louza. His effort rattled the post and deflected off Robins keeper Radek Vitek, who desperately smothered the rebound.
Bristol City Fight Back
Despite Watford’s early dominance, Bristol City grew into the game and equalized in the 36th minute. Adam Randell recycled a half-cleared free-kick, delivering a pacey cross that was met by a glancing header from Scott Twine. The ball slipped through the hands of Watford keeper Egil Selvik, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.+1
The Ngakia Moment: A Top-Corner ‘Worldie’
The second half was a tactical stalemate until the 77th minute. Following a cleared cross, the ball fell to Jeremy Ngakia 25 yards out. The full-back took one touch before unleashing a “sumptuous” right-footed strike that arched into the top corner, leaving Vitek with no chance.
“Jeremy’s goal was an absolute worldie,” said Ed Still post-match. “What composure to control that ball and come up with a strike of that quality. I told the lads how proud I am; we’ve put a huge amount of work into our attitude, and you saw that heart today.”
EFL Championship Table (As of Feb 28, 2026)
| Pos | Team | Played | GD | Points |
| 6 | Wrexham | 35 | +12 | 54 |
| 7 | Watford | 35 | +5 | 51 |
| 8 | Hull City | 34 | +4 | 50 |
| 9 | Bristol City | 35 | +2 | 50 |
