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Swansea's victory was only their second on the road since September Swansea City claimed a rare away victory as second-half goals from Marko Stamenic and Josh Key saw Watford lose further ground in the Championship play-off race. New Zealand midfielder Stamenic poked home from close range after Zan Vipotnik flicked on Josh Tymon's corner. Swansea made certain of what was just a second win on their travels in the past 11 attempts when Stamenic turned provider for Josh Key to tap in late on. Watford substitute Nestory Irankunda was sent off after a clash with Liam Cullen in added time to round off the home side's miserable day. Defeat means Javi Gracia's team slip to 10th, four points outside the top six, having seen their run without a league victory stretch to four matches. Swansea are four points worse off than the Hornets in 15th - and 10 points clear of the relegation places – as their improvement under Vitor Matos continues. Watford's home form has – for the most part – been strong this season, while Swansea's only away victories in 2025-26 before this had come against the three clubs in the relegation zone. But Watford have wobbled since New Year's Day victory over Birmingham, while Swansea have shown some recent promise on their travels. Though Watford had their moments, especially in the first half, this turned into another dispiriting afternoon for a team who have failed to a win in five matches in all competitions, their worst run of the season. Purposeful Swansea began like a team intent on changing their recent record, with Vipotnik demanding an early penalty when his shot hit the hand of Kevin Keben and Stamenic also seeing appeals for a spot-kick ignored. Marko Stamenic scored his second goal since joining Swansea from Nottingham Forest last summer But the hosts gradually imposed themselves, with Marc Bola, Othmane Maamma and Edo Kayembe keeping Swansea goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux busy before Viptotnik forced Egil Selvik into action at the other end. Watford's clearest opportunity of the contest arrived early in the second period, when Tom Ince cut on to his left foot only to curl narrowly wide. With that Swansea seized the initiative, Stamenic opting to touch the ball in at the far post when Vipotnik's near-post header may have bounced in anyway. Goncalo Franco was denied a swift second by Selvik but, after Vigouroux saved from Luca Kjerrugaard, the impressive Stamenic was heavily involved once more as Swansea extended their advantage. After seeing a shot blocked, Stamenic guided the rebound across the face for Key to score his first goal this season with his first touch after coming off the bench. Watford's frustration only increased as substitute Irankunda was dismissed for raising his hands. Cullen and Matos were also booked as tempers flared on both sides, but Swansea smiles returned with the final whistle. Watford were fourth in the Championship after victory on 1 January but have since taken only two points from a possible 12 Watford head coach Javi Gracia: "The first half we had some moments when we dominated, we played more in the opposite half with more arrivals and more chances. "But after the first goal from a corner, we feel that we don't have more power to keep doing the same things we did before – being well organised and knowing we had to compete against a team who are good in possession. "We were better in the first 45 minutes but in the second, after the goal, we were not able to compete well. "We are in a difficult moment. Some players are injured, some players are gone, some players are coming, some players are playing with discomfort. The team we have in this moment is this. " Swansea head coach Vitor Matos: "We felt the [away] performances were going in the right direction and the mentality was and is going in the right direction. "It was a matter of efficiency and detail and today that's what we got. It's a hard place to come. Watford are a really good team and first half they pushed us back which is not normal, but we were able to cope with that. "Then when we had the chances we were able to score and to keep the clean sheet. "With the ball in the second half we were able to control more of the game and that gave us the momentum and the chances. " 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 31st January 2026 at 17: 03 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Javier Gracia Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Vitor Matos Formation: 4 - 1 - 4 - 1 Manager: Javier Gracia Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Vitor Matos Formation: 4 - 1 - 4 - 1 Championship All competitions All competitions All competitions Watford have only won three of their last 10 league meetings with Swansea (D2 L5), although one of those victories did come in this exact fixture last season (1-0 at Vicarage Road in March 2025). This season’s reverse fixture between Watford and Swansea ended in a 1-1 draw (August 2025). Only once previously have they drawn both meetings in a league campaign, doing so in 1966-67 in the third tier. Since the start of November, Watford have lost fewer games (2) than any other team in the Championship (W7 D7). They are winless in their last three (D2 L1), however, and could equal their longest run without a league win this term (4 in August-September). Swansea have lost seven of their last eight away matches in the Championship (W1), while only West Brom (11) and Sheffield United (10) have more total away losses than the Swans (9) in the second tier this term. Imrân Louza has the most goal involvements for Watford in the Championship this season (12). Indeed, this is already his best league campaign in English football for both goals scored (6) and assists (6). Match ends, Watford 0, Swansea City 2. Second Half ends, Watford 0, Swansea City 2. Attempt saved. Ethan Galbraith (Swansea City) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner by Egil Selvik (Watford). Assisted by Malick Yalcouyé. Offside, Swansea City. Zan Vipotnik is caught offside. Foul by Giorgi Chakvetadze (Watford). Malick Yalcouyé (Swansea City) wins a free kick on the right wing. Liam Cullen (Swansea City) is shown the yellow card. Nestory Irankunda (Watford) is shown the red card for violent conduct. Fourth official has announced 5 minutes of added time. Foul by Nestory Irankunda (Watford). Josh Tymon (Swansea City) wins a free kick on the left wing. Foul by Kwadwo Baah (Watford). Cameron Burgess (Swansea City) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Offside, Swansea City. Zan Vipotnik is caught offside. Attempt blocked. Ethan Galbraith (Swansea City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Handball by Zan Vipotnik (Swansea City). Corner, Watford. Conceded by Marko Stamenic. Goal! Watford 0, Swansea City 2. Joshua Key (Swansea City) right footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Marko Stamenic. Attempt blocked. Marko Stamenic (Swansea City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Delay over. They are ready to continue. Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.