Five-star Hornets sting the Millers

VALERIEN Ismael hailed a "great, confidence-boosting performance" after his Watford side heaped further misery on struggling Rotherham with a thumping win at Vicarage Road.

- Ben Bloom

The hosts endured a tricky start to the campaign, but are now six games unbeaten and charging up the Championship table after their biggest victory of the season.

Despite just six places separating the two sides heading into the game, the gulf in class was evident throughout, with Mileta Rajovic scoring twice, before second-half goals from Edo Kayembe, Tom Ince and Matheus Martins.

"We came out of the challenge of losing three games very well," said Ismael. "I think now we have built something strong.

"We need to recover because the next massive block will come in the big December games. But now we feel more ready.

"We know the players better and what type of players we need for each game. It was a learning process but we feel we are moving in the right direction. Now the results show up.