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.

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 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."