Othmane Maamma's delightful strike sparked a stylish fightback as Watford moved to the verge of the Championship play-off spots with victory over faltering Leicester City.

The inconsistent Foxes, who have now lost back-to-back games, led a frantic, chance-laden Boxing Day contest inside 10 minutes thanks to a measured Jordan James strike.

But Maamma's sublime finish with the outside of his right boot drew the Hornets level just before the interval.

The open nature continued on the resumption with both sides creating and wasting excellent opportunities, but it was Watford who took the points through defender Mattie Pollock's brave header.

Both the Watford goals were the result of clever thinking and equally smart delivery by the outstanding Imran Louza and means his side are now just a point and two places outside the play-off spots thanks to a third win in a five-game unbeaten run.

The prospect of an away win looked unlikely when James set the tone for an exhilarating afternoon with a shrewd finish, shifting the ball to his right foot and shooting low into the far corner after some neat team interplay on the edge of the box

Both sides wasted good opportunities thereafter before the visitors got back on terms just before the break through Maamma's delicious first-time finish with the outside of his right boot following Louza's lay-off.

The parity was well deserved, Watford having gone close through Luca Kjerrumgaard and also seeing a Pollock header ruled out for offside from a corner.

But Leicester, who have now picked up just 14 points from their past 13 games and were booed off at the end, will be rueing a glorious chance to go 2-0 ahead when Watford keeper Egil Selvik made amends for his dreadful clearance by pushing away Stephy Mavididi's low strike.

Leicester City boss Marti Cifuentes told BBC Radio Leicester:

"It is difficult to swallow. We started the game well and we tried to push on and get a bigger score but we conceded after a mistake.

"We spoke at half-time that we had to keep our heads up and keep pushing, but we didn't play a good second half.

"Their winning goal was after a sequence of mistakes but we need to be accountable. We didn't push on in the second half to put pressure on to create chances.

"We need to do better; the players have more quality than they are showing.

"There are things we needed to change since I came here but it is not quick. But in football it is all about the next opportunity and there is no hiding. We have to do better."

Watford boss Javi Gracia told BBC Three Counties Radio:

"We know the quality of their team and the individuals well. We were aware about the way to prepare knowing we needed to defend well but also show our quality - and we did.

"We conceded an early goal; they scored with their first opportunity but we kept believing in our plan and in the end we got what we wanted. I am really happy for the players and the supporters.

"It is always difficult to play away but all the members of the team are improving. We are growing as a team.

"Many people speak about solidarity and helping each other and we have to show that on the pitch.

"Today we showed a good face and the spirit we need. It means we could show our quality."