Match ends, Watford 2, Bristol City 3.
WatfordWatford2Bristol CityBristol City3
Championship side Bristol City came from behind to beat Premier League Watford in the EFL Cup second round.
Watford's Etienne Capoue scored early in the second half, but Freddie Hinds and Bobby Reid responded for City.
Hornets defender Jose Holebas was sent off in the 88th minute before Niclas Eliasson increased the visitors' lead in stoppage time.
Adrian Mariappa scored a 95th-minute consolation as Watford fell to their first defeat under boss Marco Silva.
The Portuguese made six changes to his side after their league win over Bournemouth on Saturday, while City manager Lee Johnson made nine.
The Watford side was still strong with summer signing Will Hughes handed his debut and Troy Deeney making his first start of the season.
After falling behind, City responded excellently through 18-year-old Hinds' superb strike from distance and Reid's goal eight minutes later.
Brazilian Richarlison hit a post for Watford before Holebas received a second yellow card for a trip on Eliasson.
Eliasson netted a breakaway goal to put the game beyond Watford.
Line-ups
Watford
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Gomes
- 6Mariappa
- 5Prödl
- 27Kabasele
- 25HolebasBooked at 88mins
- 23Watson
- 29CapoueBooked at 36minsSubstituted forCleverleyat 79'minutes
- 7N AmrabatSubstituted forSuccessat 45'minutes
- 19HughesSubstituted forGrayat 71'minutes
- 11Richarlison
- 9Deeney
Substitutes
- 3Britos
- 8Cleverley
- 10Success
- 14Chalobah
- 15Cathcart
- 18Gray
- 30Pantilimon
Bristol City
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Fielding
- 26Vyner
- 4Flint
- 23Magnusson
- 25Kelly
- 19Eliasson
- 31HegelerSubstituted forSmithat 60'minutes
- 28O'Neil
- 11O'Dowda
- 9DiedhiouSubstituted forReidat 45'minutes
- 33HindsSubstituted forTaylorat 77'minutes
Substitutes
- 5Wright
- 7Smith
- 10Taylor
- 13Golbourne
- 14Reid
- 20Paterson
- 29Lucic
- Referee:
- Tim Robinson
- Attendance:
- 9,003
Match Stats
Home TeamWatfordAway TeamBristol City
- Possession
- Home62%
- Away38%
- Shots
- Home17
- Away10
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away6
- Corners
- Home6
- Away4
- Fouls
- Home19
- Away15
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Watford 2, Bristol City 3.
Goal!
Goal! Watford 2, Bristol City 3. Adrian Mariappa (Watford) header from very close range to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Christian Kabasele with a headed pass following a set piece situation.
Post update
Richarlison (Watford) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Lloyd Kelly (Bristol City).
Goal!
Goal! Watford 1, Bristol City 3. Niclas Eliasson (Bristol City) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Callum O'Dowda.
Post update
Corner, Watford. Conceded by Niclas Eliasson.
Post update
Adrian Mariappa (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City).
Post update
Foul by Tom Cleverley (Watford).
Post update
Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Attempt saved. Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Matty Taylor with a cross.
Dismissal
Second yellow card to José Holebas (Watford) for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by José Holebas (Watford).
Post update
Bobby Reid (Bristol City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Corner, Watford. Conceded by Aden Flint.
Post update
Richarlison (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Lloyd Kelly (Bristol City).
Post update
Attempt missed. Richarlison (Watford) header from the right side of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Isaac Success with a cross.
Post update
Foul by José Holebas (Watford).
