The result will surprise no one, given Leeds’ fine form and Watford’s troubles on the road.
But the ease with which Daniel Farke’s men moved level on points with leaders Sunderland will concern their nearest rivals in the race for the Premier League.
Goals from Largie Ramazani and Brenden Aaronson stretched Leeds’ unbeaten run in the competition to six matches and left the visitors still searching for their first win away from home since the opening weekend.
Returning to action for the first time since claiming the scalp of a Sheffield United side also expected to compete for promotion, the sight of the hosts dominating in more convincing fashion than the scoreline would suggest will have troubled the division’s other leading clubs, especially as Ethan Amapdu, Ilia Gruev and Max Wober were all out injured.
Kwadwo Baah’s strike for Watford ensured the outcome remained in doubt longer than should have been the case.
Leeds moved joint-top of the Championship table after beating Watford 2-1 on Tuesday
Brenden Aaronson (left) doubled the sides lead after a blistering start to the match
Daniel Farke's side put on yet another dominant display as they continued their strong form
Manager Farke delivered his verdict on Leeds’ recent progress by naming an unchanged starting XI. Watford boss Tom Cleverley, by contrast, took a hatchet to the group beaten 3-0 by Luton, with only five survivors of that trouncing taking to the pitch.
Within the space of seven minutes he must have regretted not being even more savage, with the hosts seizing control before even breaking sweat.
Having already allowed Ramazani’s long-range shot to slip straight through his gloves, Daniel Bachmann then palmed a Wilfried Gnonto centre straight towards Aaronson. The American, moments after watching his colleague being gifted the opener, was never going to pass up such an easy chance.
With Angelo Ogbonna nursing a damaged hamstring, Watford’s defending was shambolic.
Gnonto was inches away from stretching Leeds’ advantage after unleashing a low angled shot which, despite beating the confused Bachmann, flew just past the far post.
The visitors finally created a genuine opportunity just before the break, Giorgi Chakvetadze’s powerful effort reminding Ilian Meslier that he was involved in the match rather than spectating.
Kwadwo Baah (left) gave Watford hope after scoring during the second-half of the match
However it wasn't enough to spark a comeback as the Hornets fell to 8th in the league table
Predictably Gnonto, who along with Jayden Bogle was a constant menace to Watford, responded by engineering another attempt on goal which allowed keeper Bachmann to go some way towards redeeming himself.
Meslier presented Watford with an unlikely route back in when, after failing to deal with Baah’s cross, he was powerless to prevent the young German from scoring on the rebound straight after the break.
Bogle struck the woodwork when Leeds regained their composure, while Joel Piroe and substitute Mateo Joseph really should have restored their two goal advantage during the closing stages.