Leeds United 0 Watford 3

Watford are back in the top flight after beating Leeds United in convincing fashion in the Championship Play-off Final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

A first-half Jay DeMerit header and a second-half Neil Sullivan own goal put the Golden Boys in complete control before a late Darius Henderson spot-kick sealed Watford's passage into the Premiership.

Henderson had regained his place in the starting line-up at the expense of Al Bangura, the only change from the team that had prevailed over Crystal Palace in second leg of the play-off semi-final second leg, leaving the young Sierra Leone player to join a bench including veteran Alec Chamberlain, Chris Eagles, Adrian Mariappa and happily fit again, Hameur Bouazza.

Meanwhile, Leeds United took to the field with influential captain, Paul Butler, who had won his battle to recover from a calf problem that had seen him miss the Whites' two-legged play-off triumph over Preston North End.

It was Watford who started the match much the brighter and two corners in quick succession in the opening minutes set the tone of what was to follow.

From the second, Malky Mackay, bidding for a third successive promotion at this level, came desperately close to heading his side in front. Rising highest, the Scot, at 34 easily the oldest player in the Watford side, met the ball forcefully but it took a deflection off Butler's shoulder before landing on the roof of Neil Sullivan's net.

At the other end Leeds' first real chance came in the eight minute.

Shaun Derry, who had won on this stage with Crystal Palace against West Ham United two years previous, fired in a low goal bound effort that fortunately for the Golden Boys crashed off Ashley Young's outstretched foot before flashing past Ben Foster's right hand upright, with the keeper beaten.

Rob Hulse then should have done better with an effort when well placed but the Yorkshire outfit were struggling to deal with Watford's committed approach and the territorial advantage remained firmly with Aidy Boothroyd's men.

This in turn led to a succession of promising dead ball situations and the unrelenting pressure was eventually to tell on the Leeds United rearguard.

A left flank corner swung in by Young, evaded Henderson but not a surging DeMerit whose powerful close-range header left Sullivan with no chance.

The goal was no more than Watford deserved and for the next ten minutes they continued to dominate possession without fashioning any further clear-cut openings.

Spurred on by their fantastic support at the South End of the Millennium Stadium, Leeds United gradually started to move the ball around with greater accuracy and came right back into the contest as half time approached.

Shaun Gregan rose highest at the back post before failing to direct an Eddie Lewis cross between the sticks, before a moment of high drama saw Hulse bundled to the floor by Watford goalkeeper, Foster. The on loan Manchester United star seemed to get under a delivery into his penalty area by Gary Kelly, but Referee Mr. Dean had spotted an infringement by a Leeds United forward that ultimately saved him from conceding a penalty.

As the Whites continued to press, Derry won a dubious free-kick verdict over Gavin Mahon and from the resultant free-kick, Lewis curled a delightful left foot effort that flew just over Foster's cross bar.

The second half began with Leeds United replacing the ineffectual Fraser Richardson with Robbie Blake, scorer of the brace that condemned Watford to a Valentine's Night defeat the last time the teams met, but any thoughts of a possible repeat were dispelled just before the hour.

A throw deep inside Leeds United territory was hurled into the mix by inspirational captain, Mahon towards Henderson whose deft flick-on fell to James Chambers.

The tenacious right sided utility man hit a shot on the turn that appeared not to be troubling Sullivan, but as the ball bounced in front of the Leeds keeper, it spun wickedly, hit his left hand post and dribbled in off the stranded stopper to the delirium of the 26, 000 strong Watford support massed behind and to the side of the goal.

With the Golden Boys now two goals to the good the game looked beyond Leeds, although they rallied briefly, and the persevering Derry almost reduced the deficit with a downward header that was scrambled off the line by a well positioned Chambers patrolling the far post.

Watford had chances to end the contest but Young twice, and Marlon King both failed to net with free-kicks from promising positions while Mackay had another header cleared off the line by Matthew Kilgallon.

A third and decisive goal was always on the cards with Leeds United belatedly throwing caution to the wind however, and after King had been felled in the box as he attempted to shoot by a tiring Derry, Henderson's penalty was driven low left footed past a diving Sullivan to spark immediate celebrations by players, management and supporters alike.

So the game, as indeed the season, was a personal triumph for the Golden Boys' boss who had completely outfoxed his Leeds United counterpart, Kevin Blackwell.

Watford will be playing top flight football once again and at just 35, Boothroyd will become the Premiership's youngest manager.

Golden Boys man of the match: Jay DeMerit, capped a sensational performance by bravely netting the all important first goal.