Southampton were beaten in their first Championship match since the Spygate scandal, as Watford got off to a winning start under new boss Alessio Dionisi.

The hosts struck twice in the opening half an hour at Vicarage Road, as Iker Bravo profited from Jack Stephens' misplaced pass to open the scoring, before Amin Nabizada added a second with a fine solo effort.

Cyle Larin pulled a goal back just before the hour mark, and that gave the Saints momentum for the rest of the match.

But Watford stood strong - although Taylor Harwood-Bellis missed a fine opportunity to equalise.

Hornets supporters unsure what to expect from their club's 24th different head coach since the Pozzo family took over in 2012 will be heartened by this display.

It came despite creative talisman Imran Louza being left out of the squad amid speculation over the Moroccan's future.

After an emotional pre-match tribute to legendary former player and manager Kenny Jackett, who died in June, the home team started strongest.

Debutant Bravo's positioning gave him the perfect opportunity to capitalise on Stephens' botched clearance, with the Spain Under-21 international making no mistake after bearing down on goal.

Afghanistan international Nabizada then scored in what proved to be the game's decisive moment, striking past keeper Daniel Peretz after a driving run down the right flank.

Larin's instinctive finish helped Saints back into the game, but Dionisi's side held firm through a nervy conclusion.

It has been almost 13 weeks since Southampton were unceremoniously expelled from last season's Championship play-off final, but the full fallout from the scandal remains to be seen.

Saints were docked four points as part of their punishment - and after this defeat, that deficit remains - but the FA's investigation into head coach Tonda Eckert rumbles on.

BBC Sport has been told that an FA hearing is likely to be held in mid-September. Once the result is known, and with the possibility of an appeal to follow, Southampton will be a significant way into their campaign.

Until then, the show must go on.

Despite their points deduction, Southampton's players and head coach have made it clear that they are targeting automatic promotion.

Eckert will be concerned by his side's susceptibility to counter-attacks against Watford, but their second-half dominance after Larin's goal should provide some encouragement.

Watford head coach Alessio Dionisi told BBC Three Counties Radio:

"I am very happy. My team at the end was very tired because the match was difficult.

"Southampton is very strong, for me they will arrive in first, second or third position [at the end of the season].

"I liked the mentality of my players, because in every moment I saw one team. They worked together without the ball and with the ball."

Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert told BBC Radio Solent:

"I think we had a very good start in the game. We made a mistake in possession, they scored off the first occasion, and these games take a different dynamic.

"The reaction was very positive; if you look at 90 minutes, we didn't get the result that we wanted - that's clear - but there were more than enough moments to turn the game around.

"Overall, a disappointing result today, but we now go on to three home games in a row and we need to make sure we pick up points."