New Southampton signing Cyle Larin scored just three minutes into his Southampton debut as Saints beat Watford in the Championship.

The centre-forward powered a diving header into the net from James Bree's corner to score his first goal for Tonda Eckert's side after arriving on deadline day to replace top scorer Adam Armstrong following his move to Premier League Wolves.

Canada international Larin has joined on loan until the end of the season from Real Mallorca as Saints seek to plug the loss of Armstrong, who had found the target 11 times this season.

The result lifts Southampton two places to 12th while managerless Watford remain eighth in the table.

The Hornets have now failed to score in each of their past three games and have not won a league match since New Year's Day.

Saints nearly gifted the visitors a goal in the opening moments when keeper Daniel Peretz passed the ball straight to Watford's Edo Kayembe on the edge of the box but the shot that followed was a tame effort.

The hosts had their best chance just before 20 minutes when Flynn Downes crossed a ball into the area from the right which found its way to Ross Stewart in a central position, but his shot was saved by Watford keeper Egil Selvik.

There was a pause in play after half an hour as Downes and James Abankwah came together in a nasty-looking collision.

The Southampton midfielder came off worse out of the two players and then spent a lengthy period of time on the ground before receiving treatment. He tried to continue but was brought off before half-time despite his best efforts.

The visitors' best chance came just before the break as the Hornets sprung on the counter-attack, working the ball to Giorgi Chakvetadze who fired narrowly over.

Watford fans wanted a red card for Taylor Harwood-Bellis in the second half as he brought down Mamadou Doumbia who looked ready to burst in behind, but referee Elliot Bell produced just a yellow for the defender.

Saints finally broke the deadlock when Bree swung a corner into the box from the left and his delivery found the head of Larin, who got ahead of substitute defender Saba Goglichidze - also making his debut - to power the ball home just three minutes after being substituted on.

The home support were signing his name in the moments after the goal, delighted at his contribution.

Larin was a big physical presence up front on his first appearance in red and white, occupying the Watford centre-backs, hard at work in the air and with the ball at his feet during his 30-minute cameo.

Southampton were denied a penalty in added time as Sam Edozie looked to be wrestled to the floor in the box but referee Bell waved away the appeals.

Southampton stirker Cyle Larin speaking to BBC Radio Solent:

"It's a great feeling to score my first goal but it's also great to have a win with that.

"You have to cherish these moments. Since I came to Southampton, the staff and players have been very welcoming which has made it easier for me.

"When you feel good it translates on to the pitch. I've been a lot of places in my career and I think my experience helps me to adapt really quickly, I gel really well with the group.

"We should be higher in the table but that's football, if you go on a run in this league then that can change."

Watford interim boss Charlie Daniels speaking to BBC 3CR:

"I'm disappointed with the result, the performance was good in the first half but levels did drop off towards the end of the second.

"I thought we created a good number of chances but didn't work the goalkeeper as much as we would have liked.

"We were forced to make a change before the goal as Stephen [Mfuni] was injured so rather than being a man down, we made the change.

"Stephen said to us five minutes before he was struggling and had an issue with his calf. The group have had to do a lot of adapting with us this week and two trips away have not helped.

"This is how the Championship is - little moments make a big difference and if we want to be in contention for the play-offs, we have to take our moments.

"At the minute it is not happening but that starts on the training pitch."