Jeremy Ngakia nets quickfire brace as Watford strike back for Oxford win

Jeremy Ngakia scored two goals in as many first-half minutes to hand Watford another comeback victory as they edged a 2-1 Championship win at home to Oxford.

A double from Ngakia – thanks to two blunders from Oxford goalkeeper Jamie Cumming – cancelled out a Max Alleyne own goal, as they went a goal behind for the fourth time in their last six games.

Watford head coach Paulo Pezzolano gave Nestory Irankunda another start, despite substituting the Australia international after just 35 minutes at Portsmouth last time out.

Making three changes from their goalless draw at QPR, Oxford got off to the best start possible after less than three minutes.

A corner struck low by Brian De Keersmaecker found Alleyne at the near post and he unfortunately turned the ball past his own goalkeeper Egil Selvik.

Seeking a quick response, midfielder Imran Louza poked an effort wide, two minutes later for the hosts.

Selvik needed to keep out Will Lankshear after good work with Siriki Dembele after eight minutes, while – at the other end – Vivaldo Semendo put a Irankunda pass over the crossbar from close range.

Watford suffered a blow on the half-hour mark, when Semedo limped off and was replaced by Luca Kjerrumgaard.

The hosts were then gifted two goals in two stoppage-time minutes, thanks to Cumming.

First he parried a Kjerrumgaard header, but he was unable to direct the ball away from Ngakia, who was on hand to head home.

Then the visiting stopper flapped at an Ngakia cross direct from a corner to double Watford’s score.

The home side almost put further daylight between themselves and Oxford a minute after the restart.

Rocco Vata put on some pace against the U’s backline and found himself in a shooting chance – but fired just the wrong side of the post.

Cumming made amends of sorts when he denied Vata and Irankunda in quick succession after 55 minutes.

Selvik had to turn away a difficult bouncing shot from Przemyslaw Placheta – 10 minutes later – as Oxford looked for an equaliser.

The visitors looked vulnerable at the back as they chased the game and substitute Edo Kayembe nearly added a third for Watford with a fierce effort from outside the box that went only narrowly wide.

Kjerrumgaard forced Cumming to turn away his effort moments later, while the need for Oxford to push forward was paramount in the fading sun at Vicarage Road.

Watford were more content to run the clock down, although Kwadwo Baah forced Cumming into a fine save just before stoppage-time.

With five minutes additional time added on, Oxford were unable to make the breakthrough as Watford picked up maximum points.