Match report

Watford Stuns Leicester with Comeback Victory in Championship Clash

Leicester
Leicester
1–2
FT
Watford
Watford
Dec 26, 2025

Watford stunned Leicester with a dramatic comeback victory in their Boxing Day clash at the King Power Stadium. The Foxes took an early lead through Jordan Ayew's assist to J. James, but Watford fought back strongly in the second half. O. Maamma and Matthew Pollock scored crucial goals for Watford, securing them a 2-1 win over Leicester in the Championship.

Key Facts

  • • Leicester vs Watford: Final Score - Leicester 1–2 Watford (Championship)
  • • Goal: J. James (7') for Leicester, assisted by Jordan Ayew
  • • Goal: O. Maamma (45') for Watford, assisted by I. Louza
  • • Goal: Matthew Pollock (65') for Watford, assisted by I. Louza
  • • Yellow Cards: Fatawu (19'), Skipp (42'), Mavididi (63')

Lineups

Leicester

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 J. Stolarczyk (G)
  • 21 R. Pereira (D)
  • 5 C. Okoli (D)
  • 4 B. Nelson (D)
  • 33 L. Thomas (D)
  • 6 J. James (M)
  • 22 O. Skipp (M)
  • 7 I. Fatawu (M)
  • 14 B. De Cordova-Reid (M)
  • 10 S. Mavididi (M)
  • 9 J. Ayew (F)

Substitutes

  • 31 A. Begovic
  • 3 W. Faes
  • 56 O. Aluko
  • 17 H. Choudhury
  • 25 L. Page
  • 39 S. Thomas
  • 30 A. Ramsey
  • 28 J. Monga
  • 18 J. Carranza

Watford

Formation: 4-4-2

Starting XI

  • 1 E. Selvik (G)
  • 2 J. Ngakia (D)
  • 6 M. Pollock (D)
  • 3 M. Alleyne (D)
  • 16 M. Bola (D)
  • 42 O. Maamma (M)
  • 5 H. Kyprianou (M)
  • 10 I. Louza (M)
  • 7 T. Ince (M)
  • 8 G. Chakvetadze (F)
  • 9 L. Kjerrumgaard (F)

Substitutes

  • 12 N. Baxter
  • 4 K. Keben
  • 17 M. Sissoko
  • 18 V. Semedo
  • 22 J. Morris
  • 23 N. Mendy
  • 29 J. Petris
  • 25 J. Abankwah
  • 66 N. Irankunda

Timeline

  1. Leicester
    7' Leicester Goal · Normal Goal
    J. James · Assist: Jordan Ayew
  2. Leicester
    19' Leicester Card · Yellow Card
    I. Fatawu

    Foul

  3. Leicester
    42' Leicester Card · Yellow Card
    O. Skipp

    Foul

  4. Watford
    45' Watford Goal · Normal Goal
    O. Maamma · Assist: I. Louza
  5. Watford
    48' Watford Card · Yellow Card
    I. Louza

    Foul

  6. Watford
    61' Watford Card · Yellow Card
    Hector Kyprianou

    Foul

  7. Leicester
    63' Leicester Card · Yellow Card
    S. Mavididi

    Foul

  8. Watford
    65' Watford Goal · Normal Goal
    Matthew Pollock · Assist: I. Louza
  9. Watford
    66' Watford subst · Substitution 1
    Off: T. Ince · On: N. Irankunda
  10. Leicester
    69' Leicester subst · Substitution 1
    Off: S. Mavididi · On: J. Monga
  11. Leicester
    75' Leicester subst · Substitution 2
    Off: B. De Cordova-Reid · On: Aaron Ramsey
  12. Watford
    81' Watford subst · Substitution 2
    Off: O. Maamma · On: M. Sissoko
  13. Watford
    81' Watford subst · Substitution 3
    Off: L. Kjerrumgaard · On: V. Semedo
  14. Leicester
    87' Leicester subst · Substitution 3
    Off: O. Skipp · On: H. Choudhury
  15. Leicester
    87' Leicester subst · Substitution 4
    Off: R. Pereira · On: Silko Thomas
  16. Watford
    90'+1 Watford subst · Substitution 4
    Off: G. Chakvetadze · On: James Morris

Match Stats

Stat Leicester Watford
Fouls 14 8
Pass Accuracy 84% 85%
Offsides 1 1
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 9 13
Corners 5 6
Total Passes 458 448
Yellow Cards 3 2
Blocked Shots 2 5
Shots on Target 2 3
xG 0.43 1.40
Shots off Target 5 5
Possession 51% 49%
Goals Prevented 0 0
Accurate Passes 387 382
Shots Inside Box 4 7
Saves 1 1
Shots Outside Box 5 6

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Watford's late surge in the second half turned the match around, as they scored two quick goals to overturn Leicester's early lead.
  • ▸ O. Maamma's goal just before halftime was a crucial momentum shift, and Matthew Pollock's decisive strike further strengthened Watford’s position.