Shefki Kuqi struck 13 minutes from time as Sheffield Wednesday's rousing second-half display earned them maximum points against Watford at Hillsborough.

Fortunate to be trailing by just a single goal at the interval, Wednesday emerged from the tunnel for the second half a different side, and put on a high-octane display that could be crucial in their fight against relegation.

While Ekoku may have relied on a considerable amount of luck for his first goal - a feeble penalty that crept under Alec Chamberlain's body - Kuqi's strike was a fine example of being in the right place at the right time.

Finding the ball at his feet inches from the goal-line, the Finn could not fail to score.

But the fact that he created space for himself at the back post while all and sundry were involved in a goalmouth scramble at the near post spoke volumes for a cool head and footballing brain.

Watford had taken the lead through Gifton-Noel Williams in a one-sided first half, during which Jermaine Pennant provided the 18,244-strong crowd with a masterclass of wing play.

The visitors' superiority was evident from the start, and they wasted little time in revealing their plan of attack.

Inevitably it involved feeding Pennant on the right flank as much as possible.

Wednesday goalkeeper Paul Heald was twice called upon to defend his near post within 90 seconds of the kick-off as Pennant's close control took him past Paul McLaren and to the byline.

The first real attempt on goal arrived in the fifth minute, although Heald was not overly exerted by a long-range effort from Stephen Glass, who wasted another good opportunity shortly after.

Heald was by far the busier goalkeeper in the first half, and was called into action once more in the 23rd minute to beat out Pennant's low drive.

It was almost a carbon copy of the save Chamberlain had pulled off to deny David Johnson at the other end following a rare Wednesday attack four minutes earlier.

The Owls were thankful for Williams' poor first touch after Pennant and Micah Hyde had provided Allan Nielsen with a crossing opportunity, and again when the tall frontman scooped over with his back to goal.

With the half-time interval beckoning, though, Watford finally made their superiority count.

Pennant tricked his way into the Wednesday area before crossing right-footed for Noel-Williams to volley, first time, past Heald.

A Kuqi downward header that went narrowly wide represented the start of Wednesday's second-half recovery, which brought its reward in the 57th minute.

David Johnson switched flanks to make a rare appearance on the left wing before accelerating into the box.

Despite the a massed Watford defence, Nielsen body-checked Johnson, leaving the referee with little option but to point to the spot.

Ekoku struck a tame spot kick but Chamberlain contrived to let the ball squirm under his body and into the net.

Watford struggled to match Wednesday's tempo, and Kuqi grabbed a second with 12 minutes left on the clock, prodding home after a scramble in the box.

Vialli's side refused to abandon their passing game, but a lack of steel, particularly in the final third of the pitch, ultimately cost them.

Sheff Wed: Heald, Haslam, Armstrong, Westwood (Sibon 52), Maddix (Donnelly 45), McLaren, Crane (Hamshaw 45), Soltvedt, Kuqi, Ekoku, Johnson.

Subs Not Used: Roberts, Bonvin.

Booked: Johnson, McLaren, Hamshaw, Ekoku.

Goals: Ekoku 58 pen, Kuqi 78.

Watford: Chamberlain, Galli (Hand 82), Brown, Robinson, Pennant, Glass (Cook 79), Okon, Hyde, Nielsen, Smith (Gayle 79), Noel-Williams.

Subs Not Used: Baardsen, Doyley.

Booked: Robinson.

Goals: Noel-Williams 43.

Att: 18,244

Ref: A Hall (Birmingham).