A Heurelho Gomes own goal saw Stoke emerge as deserved victors over a dull Watford side at Vicarage Road.
Charlie Adam's header ricocheted off the post and hit Gomes, who was helpless as the ball trickled in for the only goal in an otherwise tame affair.
Jonathan Walters headed wide whileDaryl Janmaat tested Lee Grant during a lively opening 10 minutes, with Stoke bossing the early encounters. Someneat interplay saw Giannelli Imbula pull the trigger from 30 yards, with the midfielder's effort whistling just wide of the post. Watford were dealt an early blow, with centre-back Younes Kaboul going off injured to be replaced by Christian Kabasele.
Watford had the chance to temporarily leapfrog Everton and Manchester United into sixth, but started the match sluggishly, with Stoke's forward trio of Marko Arnautovic, Jonathan Walters and Xherdan Shaqiri looking menacing on the break.
With Stoke dominating the early exchanges, it was no surprise to see them take the lead. Glen Johnson earned his side a corner, and the ensuing set piece found Charlie Adam, whose header hit the post and rebounded off Heurelho Gomes and into his net for an own goal.
Watford threatened infrequently during the first-half, with Roberto Pereyra firing off targetfrom long range before Miguel Britos looped a header over as Walter Mazzarri's side unsuccessfully pushed for an equaliser before half-time.
HT: The half-time whistle blows and Stoke are deservedly ahead at the break following a bright first half #watfordfc 0-1 #SCFC pic.twitter.com/dsgHmUozkA
Stoke had a magnificent chance to double their lead just minutes into the second-half, but Arnautovic's cross across the six-yard box was too strong for Walters to connect with. Watford huffed and puffed throughout long periods, but the likes of Nordin Amrabat and Etienne Capoue couldn't create any significant openings.
The introductions of Odion Ighalo and Stefano Okaka signified the intent from Watford boss Mazzarri as the game entered the final 10 minutes, but Mark Hughes' Stoke continued to frustrate the hosts, with clear chances proving eluding.
Janmaat flashed a shot over the bar,Okaka volleyed awkwardly wide from close range while Troy Deeney headed high and wide from a cross from the left. All hope was extinguished, however, when Britos hauled down Shaqiri on the counter to pick up a second yellow card. The result lifts Stoke into 10th in the Premier League, while Watford remain in eighth.
Line-ups:
Watford XI: Gomes, Kaboul, Prodl, Britos, Janmaat, Behrami, Capoue, Holebas, Amrabat, Deeney, Pereyra
Stoke City XI: Grant, Johnson, Martins Indi, Muniesa, Pieters, Adam, Imbula, Diouf, Shaqiri, Arnautovic, Walters