Watford's inexorable rise hit new heights tonight after they overcame 10-men Sheffield United to claim a remarkable fifth straight Coca-Cola Championship victory.

Goals from Chris Eagles, Hameur Bouazza and a brace from Marlon King secured the points for Adrian Boothroyd's side and confirmed their status as serious promotion contenders.

The onus was firmly on second-placed United to record victory and re-establish a 14-point advantage over closest rivals Leeds.

But the high-flying Hornets mercilessly tore up the script and thoroughly deserved to secure a win that takes them level with Kevin Blackwell's side on 58 points.

Eagles, on loan from Manchester United, netted with a delightful header after six minutes before he became embroiled in controversy 19 minutes later.

A tussle with David Unsworth led to the Blades left-back being shown a straight red card, while Eagles escaped with a booking before being replaced at the interval.

Two minutes after the restart, United defender Leigh Bromby gifted Watford their second and although Paul Ifill hauled the Blades back into contention, King completed his brace before substitute Bouazza added a late fourth.

Not since 1999 have Watford lost at Bramall Lane and they wasted little time in extending that impressive record further by forging ahead through Eagles.

A long throw-in down the left-flank was neatly flicked into Darius Henderson's path by the impressive King. Henderson had time and space to whip in a vicious cross from the left which Eagles dispatched in style with a firm diving header past Paddy Kenny.

The goal served as an early wake-up call for the Blades, who handed Ade Akinbiyi his home debut, and five minutes later they forced Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster into action.

Neat work by the recalled Steve Kabba on the left flank saw him work the ball to Michael Tonge around 20 yards from goal.

The Blades midfielder engineered a shooting chance and struck a fierce effort which required Foster - another player on loan from Old Trafford - to make a fine save low to his right.

United continued to probe but they struggled to penetrate a resolute rearguard and their frustrations hit boiling point after 25 minutes as Unsworth was dismissed. A tackle with Eagles resulted in the Old Trafford midfielder appearing to kick out at Unsworth, whose retort was to push Eagles in the face.

As was the case with Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina following his clash with Chelsea winger Arjen Robben during Sunday's Barclays Premiership clash, a straight red card was shown.

Eagles, who was booked for his part in the incident, almost made it 2-0 moments later when he crashed a shot against the bar from 18 yards.

But two minutes after the restart Watford made the game safe courtesy of a horrendous mistake by Bromby.

A hopeful punt upfield by Matthew Spring should have been dealt with but Bromby dithered and allowed King to steal possession and sweep the ball home low past Kenny.

Ifill fired home from 10 yards shortly before the hour mark but King's 15th league goal of the season, rifled home from 12 yards, secured an impressive victory for Boothroyd's men.

Bouazza extended Watford's lead two minutes from time when Bromby again erred to leave the Hornets substitute to nip in and sweep the ball home to cap a memorable night for the Hertfordshire outfit.

Teams:

Sheff Utd: Kenny, Geary (Morgan 59), Short, Bromby, Unsworth,Ifill (Gillespie 88), Armstrong, Jagielka, Tonge,Kabba (Shipperley 83), Akinbiyi.

Subs Not Used: Flitcroft, Quinn.

Sent Off: Unsworth (25).

Booked: Akinbiyi, Armstrong.

Goals: Ifill 58.

Watford: Foster, Doyley, DeMerit, Mackay, Stewart,Eagles (Chambers 45), Mahon, Spring (Bangura 53),Young (Bouazza 77), Henderson, King.

Subs Not Used: Chamberlain, Carlisle.

Booked: Spring, Eagles.

Goals: Eagles 6, King 47, 69, Bouazza 88.

Att: 20,791

Ref: A Hall (W Midlands).