Watford have scored five times in a Premier League game for the first time to belt Cardiff City 5-1 while Fulham lost 3-1 at West Ham United to edge closer to the drop.
Spanish attacker Gerard Deulofeu became the first Hornets player to score a hat- trick in the EPL era before captain Troy Deeney chimed in with two goals of his own, either side of Sol Bamba's 82nd-minute consolation strike for the hosts.
Deulofeu put Javi Gracia's side ahead in the 18th minute after a mistake from Cardiff defender Bruno Manga but it was after the break when Watford ran away with the game.
Deulofeu made it 2-0 with a clinical finish after a swift break in the 61st minute and the former Barcelona and Everton winger completed his hat-trick after more poor defending from Neil Warnock's side.
Deulofeu then turned creator, teeing up Deeney for a simple tap-in as Watford romped into a four-goal advantage.
Cardiff pulled a goal back through defender Bamba but Watford added further punishment with Deeney's second in stoppage time.
Watford moved up to seventh while Cardiff remain 17th, one place and one point above the drop zone.
Fulham fell deeper into relegation trouble with their defeat to the Hammers at London Stadium.
Claudio Ranieri's 19th-placed side made the ideal start when they grabbed the lead in the third minute with former Liverpool forward Ryan Babel on target from close range after he had earlier missed a golden chance.
There was controversy about West Ham's equaliser when Mexican striker Javier Hernandez stooped to head in from close range but replays suggested the ball went in off his arm.
Issa Diop's first Premier League goal, with a header five minutes before the break, put West Ham in charge and they were well on top after the break.
Marko Arnautovic and Manuel Lanzini made their returns for the Hammers as substitutes.
But it was not until stoppage time that the Hammers made sure of the win as Michail Antonio powerfully headed home a cross from Arnautovic.
Reuters
