Momentum is crucial at this stage of the season, and the confidence shown by Hull City in completing their sixth win in their last seven games suggested the Tigers have it in them to maintain their challenge for automatic promotion.

They were too strong for Watford in every respect yesterday, and on this evidence few would bet against them overhauling Bristol City and Stoke City at the top. “They started better, were better in the middle, and were the best team at the end too,” was Watford manager Aidy Boothroyd’s assessment. He also said that it was the worst performance he’d overseen in his three years in charge, but it is remarkable how many managers have said something similar after they’ve come up against Hull in the last few months.

Given the febrile atmosphere at the KC Stadium the last thing Watford wanted to do was concede an early goal, but they had barely kicked off when they fell behind. Fraizer Campbell picked up the ball on the right, and slipped a pass inside for Richard Garcia to drive towards the Watford penalty area.

The winger was fouled by Leigh Bromby, Dean Marney drifted the free-kick across the penalty area, and Michael Turner headed past Watford goalkeeper Richard Lee. The goal was timed at 51 seconds.

The stands were still bouncing when the Tigers made it two. Again, Watford failed to cope with a cross from the right, this time delivered by Garcia. Windass was allowed to head the ball back across goal and Dan Shittu’s attempt to head clear fell at the feet of Henrik Pedersen. The Dane volleyed the ball back towards goal and Campbell diverted the ball past Lee.

Campbell came within an inch of catching Lee in possession when the goalkeeper dallied over a clearance, and with Marney and Ian Ashbee dominating midfield, City’s only concern was Uriah Rennie’s readiness to reach into his back pocket.

All City goalkeeper Boaz Myhill, fresh from his first international cap for Wales in midweek, was required to do was collect crosses, which he did without alarm, at least until a long-distance effort from Jobi McAnuff allowed him to make a diving save that may have been a touch more spectacular than was strictly necessary.

When Watford did mount a decent attack, the City defenders were a step ahead of them. Shortly before the hour a poor challenge from Pedersen in the Hull penalty area gave Lee Williamson Watford’s best chance to pull a goal back, but Myhill rushed from his goal to block the midfielder’s shot.

Boothroyd made a double substitution and threw Shittu forward – the big defender could hardly have been any less effective than Nathan Ellington – and with the game stretching on a well-soaked surface, so did Brown, bringing on Caleb Folan for the tiring Dean Windass.

Folan created space for Campbell to drive in a shot from 22 yards that swerved so much Lee saved with his body, rather than his hands. The substitute’s presence was giving the City attack another dimension, and Bromby looked the favourite to clear when he and Folan chased a long clearance into the Watford penalty area. Folan was the more determined, though, and stretched out a leg to steer the ball past Lee.

Watford’s misery was compounded when Steve Kabba received a straight red card fora hack at Sam Ricketts. Even City manager Phil Brown, who usually avoids raising expectations, acknowledged automatic promotion is now on the cards. “Why not? We’re giving ourselves a good chance,” he said. “Every game you win in this division is pleasing, but the bonus today was the performance. The players’ approach was magnificent.”

Star man: Ian Ashbee(Hull)

Player ratings. Hull: Myhill 7, Ricketts 7, Brown 7, Turner 7, Dawson 6, Garcia 8, Ashbee 9 (Hughes 89), Marney 8, Pedersen 7, Campbell 8 (Fagan 86), Windass 7 (Folan 59, 8) Watford: Lee 5, DeMerit 5 (John 78, 4), Bromby 4, Shittu 5, Sadler 5; Smith 4, Bangura 4 (Mariappa 57, 5), Williamson 4, McAnuff 6, Ellington 3 (Ainsworth 57, 5), Kabba 4

Scorers: Hull: Turner 1min, Campbell 12min, Folan 79min

Referee: U Rennie

Attendance:23,501