Watford were big contributors to their own demise as Leeds United underlined why they are leading the race for promotion with an emphatic 4-0 victory at Vicarage Road.

The Hornets did well in the opening 20 minutes but the platform of an encouraging start was ripped from underneath them when an awful mistake from Edo Kaymebe gifted Dan James the opening goal.

James was to double his tally eight minutes later from a rapid counter-attack that originated from Moussa Sissoko trying to be too intricate in the Leeds penalty area after a passing opportunity had been spurned.

Insult was added to injury before half-time when a Manor Solomon shot took a wicked deflection off Mattie Pollock, wrong-footing keeper Egil Selvik.

The Hornets managed to limit the damage to one further goal after the break, scored by Joel Piroe, but the visitors were largely able to play out the second period at a pace of their choosing, such was their clear superiority in all areas of the pitch.

Here are five talking points we’ve picked out from tonight’s game. Tell us what you think by using the comments facility on this page.

Winter woes deepen

It is now one win – and just five points – in ten league games for Watford after suffering their heaviest defeat of the season to slump to their fifth consecutive home loss.

Cleverley now has the task of trying to lift his side ahead of another difficult-looking trip to Middlesbrough on Saturday before attention switches to a certain derby encounter in the next home game.

How worried are you by Watford’s form?

Architects of own downfall

Leeds are a good enough side without being given a considerable helping hand – step forward the Hornets.

The early signs were encouraging enough from the hosts’ perspective but all that was undone by Kayembe’s mistake for the first goal.

That made an already difficult task harder. Within eight minutes, the scale of the task went up another few notches when a promising crossing situation was spurned, Sissoko's attempted pass was intercepted and the hosts were cut apart on the counter attack as James netted his second.

What was your view of Watford’s first-half performance?

A tough Vicarage Road baptism

Selvik conceded four goals on his Vicarage Road debut, could have been beaten more times, but it was those in front of him who deserved much greater criticism than the keeper for their displays

Like on Saturday, the Norwegian’s decision making was solid, his distribution was sound and there was the welcome sight of him catching, rather than punching, a cross in the second half.

How did you rate Selvik’s display?

Minimal changes

With his options still limited by injuries and suspension, Cleverley largely opted to reward those who started Saturday’s encouraging draw at Sunderland by making just the one change, with Jeremy Ngakia preferred to Yasser Larouci at left-back.

Watford’s start to the game suggested it was the right choice but the gap in quality between the two sets of players were soon clinically exposed.

Were you happy with Cleverley’s starting XI?

Fine individual fine continues

Watford finished well beaten but it was a game when Imran Louza continued his fine run of impressive individual form while many around him are struggling.

The midfielder always wanted the ball, prompted and probed when he had it and was key to the Hornets almost scoring a consolation at the end, setting up Giorgi Chakvetadze for a shot that hit the bar before forcing Illan Meslier into a rare save.

What was your opinion of Louza's performance?