Rocco Vata’s winner five minutes into stoppage time led to incredible scenes as Watford grabbed all three points right at the death.

The Irish Under-21 international netted from close range to win the game and led to every Watford player and most of the bench piling on him in front of the jubilant Rookery End.

It was a scintillating end to a game that got better the longer it went on.

The main piece of team news was that striker Daniel Jebbison was selected to start for the only the third time since joining on loan from Bournemouth in the summer.

The last time Jebbison had started a game was when Watford beat Middlesbrough at Vicarage Road on October 5.

Captain Moussa Sissoko dropped to the bench and Imran Louza, who missed the game at Burnley due to illness, returned to the team.

James Morris was back in the team, suggesting a return to three at the back with Ryan Porteous and Mattie Pollock alongside him.

Edo Kayembe was also in the starting XI, with Pierre Dwomoh dropping to the bench.

Although they dominated possession in the first half, Watford found themselves behind to a well-taken strike from Zak Swanson and struggled to turn their pressure into chances.

That led to a half-time change of shape, with Rocco Vata replacing Morris to facilitate to a move to a flat back four.

The second half was largely one-way Watford pressure and, once Kayembe had levelled from the spot it was very much game on.

It looked like it would be a frustrating Boxing Day until, right at the death, Vata popped up to send Hornets fans into delirium.

Here’s how the game unfolded:

2 - Larouci crossed from deep, Jebbison rose well but had to lean back to reach the ball and his header was straight at Schmid.

4 - Great play from Jebbison to steal the ball on halfway, burst between two defenders and charge into the box, but Schmid holds his shot.

10 – Watford 0 Portsmouth 1 (Swanson)

Poor clearance from Morris which landed invitingly for Swanson and he lashed a low volley into the bottom corner.

13 - Why didn't he shoot?! Ngakia rolls the ball square for Chakvetadze in the box but, from 10 yards, he decides to have a touch and the chance is gone.

37 - Chakvetadze plays a low corner towards the near post where Porteous flicks the ball up and over.

Half-time – Watford 0 Portsmouth 1

53 - Corner cleared to Ngakia 30 yards out, his shot was ambitious, well-struck and sailed over the bar.

57 – Watford 1 (Kayembe pen) Portsmouth 1

Baah is brought down in the box by Potts, and no messing about from Edo! He smashed the spot kick into the top-left corner.

68 - So close as Jebbison lays off to Baah and his curling effort is tipped wide by Schmid.

75 - Andrews bursts into the box on the right and drills a low cross-shot which Schmid's hand diverts away from the incoming Jebbison.

77 - Chakvetadze rolls a free kick to Kayembe on the edge of the box, and his low shot through a crowd clips Pollock and bounces wide.

90+5 – Watford 2 (Vata) Portsmouth 1

Bayo lobs the ball into the box, Sissoko does well to force his way onto it, he prods it goalwards and Schmid pushes it away, but Vata is there to knock the loose ball home.

Full-time – Watford 2 Portsmouth 1

Watford: Bachmann; Porteous, Pollock, Morris (Vata ht); Ngakia (Andrews 70), Louza, Kayembe (Sissoko 87), Larouci; Chakvetadze, Baah; Jebbison (Bayo 81). Subs: Bond, Sierralta, Ince, Dwomoh, Ebosele