Watford completed the double over Coventry for the second successive season as Micah Hyde's winner put paid to the 10-man hosts.

A red card for midfielder Youssef Chippo in his comeback from broken ribs provided the catalyst for the Hornets' victory.

But against a side beaten 5-2 at Vicarage Road earlier in the season, Ray Lewington's men were already looking the more likely winners.

Fresh from their FA Cup victory over West Brom, it was Watford who started the brighter with Jamie Hand's shot from the right side of the box forcing Morten Hyldgaard to hold on.

The Dane was called into action for a second time with the game still only seven minutes old, again showing good hands from Heidar Helguson's header.

And as the Hornets continued to force their hosts onto the back foot, another Helguson effort - this time a left-foot volley - flew over the Sky Blues' bar.

But with 25 minutes on the clock Coventry at last mustered a threat of their own.

Richie Partridge's effort was blocked by Hand and when the resulting corner came out to Barry Quinn, his drive from 25 yards was caught by Chamberlain.

Jay Bothroyd's 28th minute shot wide of the target provided further evidence that Coventry were stirring to life.

And after Paulo Vernazza fired over the top for Watford, the hosts wasted a great chance to take the lead.

Partridge's effort was only parried by Chamberlain and Gary McSheffrey put the rebound over the crossbar when he could easily have found the net.

Home defender Dean Gordon lasted just nine minutes of the second period before limping off to be replaced by Calum Davenport.

But far worse was to come for the Sky Blues, with Chippo needlessly dismissed for a second yellow after 58 minutes for obstructing a throw-in.

The effect on the match was immediate with Watford briefly running riot against a Coventry team in disarray.

Helguson's close-range header forced Hyldgaard into action just a minute after Chippo's dismissal.

And 60 seconds later the Coventry number one's parry from Hand's shot found its way to Hyde who made no mistake from just inside the area.

Juan Sara and Dean Holdsworth replaced Quinn and Bothroyd as the Sky Blues tried to salvage something from the match.

And they so nearly did so when Muhamed Konjic's header from six yards came back off the woodwork with Chamberlain beaten.

Teams

Coventry Hyldgaard, Quinn (Sara 64), Konjic, Shaw, Gordon (Davenport 55), Chippo, Pead, McAllister, Partridge, Bothroyd (Holdsworth 65), McSheffrey.

Subs Not Used: Debec, Osbourne.

Sent Off: Chippo (58).

Booked: Chippo.

Watford Chamberlain, Ardley, Cox, Gayle, Robinson, Vernazza, Hyde, Hand, Nielsen, Tommy Smith (Noel-Williams 88), Helguson.

Subs Not Used: Brown, Mahon, Pennant, Lee.

Booked: Vernazza.

Goals: Hyde 60.

Att: 17,393

Ref: T Parkes (Birmingham).