Helped by a Barry Hayles hat-trick Fulham trounced one-time top-of-the-table rivals Watford with their best win of the season.

Louis Saha and Andre Stolcers added one apiece as Graham Taylor's side slipped to their seventh defeat in eight games.

Saha's opener came from the penalty spot after Hayles had been wrestled off the ball by Darren Ward, who was booked for his pains. Hayles made it 2-0 in the 43rd minute, scoring from close range following a Fabrice Fernandes corner.

The Londoners increased their domination after the interval with a fine display of flair and skill.

Hayles made it 3-0 in the 55th minute after Lee Clark cut in from the left and provided the perfect cross for the striker to give goalkeeper Espen Baardsen no chance.

He completed his hat-trick in the 74th minute with a header from a Bjarne Goldbaek free-kick. Substitute Stolcers completed the rout in the 77th minute after Luis Boa Morte and Rufus Brevett had combined well on the left.

It was a demoralising afternoon for the Hornets. They could have taken the lead in the 12th minute when Heidar Helguson's header was on target but Fulham goalkeeper Maik Taylor dived to save. Skipper Alan Neilsen had an even better chance in the 70th minute but shot wide with only Taylor to beat.

In addition to Ward, there were bookings for Paul Robinson, Paolo Vernazza and Tommy Mooney as Watford struggled to cope.

Teams:

Fulham: Taylor, Finnan, Brevett, Melville, Coleman (Symons 77), Clark, Hayles, Goldbaek, Saha (Boa Morte 72), Davis, Fernandes (Stolcers 63).

Subs Not Used: Hahnemann, Sahnoun.

Goals: Saha 29 pen, Hayles 42, 56, 75, Stolcers 77.

Watford: Baardsen, Cox (Noel-Williams 71), Robinson, Steve Palmer, Carlton Palmer, Hyde (Smith 72), Mooney, Helguson, Ward, Vernazza, Nielsen.

Subs Not Used: Chamberlain, Kennedy, Panayi.

Booked: Ward, Robinson, Mooney, Vernazza.

Att: 19,373

Ref: M Fletcher (Warley).