Joey Gudjonsson's first goal for Burnley sealed a sensational Vicarage Road victory against league leaders Watford.

Andy Gray's 11th goal of the season in the first half put the Clarets in control against the league leaders.

And second half substitute Gudjonsson's stunning 80th minute clincher left the Hornets stunned to seal Owen Coyle's first win as boss, despite Danny Shittu's late consolation.

You beauty! Joey celebrates his magnificent goal

The margin could even have been more convincing as Chris McCann struck the woodwork in the first half.

And with Robbie Blake denied a clear penalty just before half time, this was a fully deserved victory away to the runaway table-toppers.

It was the same 16 for Burnley, with the same starting 11 that began a new era under Coyle with a draw against Stoke City at the weekend.

And the Clarets started confidently against the league leaders. Gray had half a chance to open the scoring in the 11th minute when Wade Elliott slid him inside the right hand channel.

Burnley's striker shaped to fire the ball back across goal, but Shittu spotted the danger and deflected the ball for a corner.

Gabor Kiraly had hardly touched the ball in a solid opening, but the Hungarian made a terrific low save to his left in the 15th minute to deny Marlon King.

Burnley, however, were looking impressive and midway through the half McCann was a whisker away from opening the scoring.

Blake was the beneficiary of a fortunate free kick down the left and his whipped, inswinging delivery was met by the Irish midfielder, who was unlucky to see the ball skip off the wet turf and smack the inside of the right hand post.

Gray's control then let him down when ideally placed - and as the Clarets enjoyed a spell of serious pressure Kyle Lafferty's cross-cum-shot skidded across the six-yard box as Gray and Blake tried desperately to catch up with play.

Watford were heavily reliant on testing the Burnley defence with balls pumped into the box. But it was almost a Burnley mistake that gifted the Hornets the lead 10 minutes before half time.

Kiraly's woefully poor clearance landed at the feet of King, but the goalkeeper made amends with a smart save.

The ebb and flow continued and almost instantly, Lafferty was released down the left, only to be denied by a terrific fingertip save around the post that was not seen by referee Kevin Friend.

Two minutes before the break, Burnley were denied a clear-cut penalty by a quite ridiculous piece of refereeing. Blake was clearly upended near the by-line as he teased Jay DeMerit into a reckless tackle, the contact was obvious.

However, Friend somehow ruled that the American got a touch on the ball and, to Burnley's disbelief, pointed for a corner.

And that was the last piece of action in a half that saw Burnley easily create the better chances.

Gudjonsson replaced Lafferty at the break. But with Adie Boothroyd's words no doubt ringing in Watford ears, Jordan Stewart tested Kiraly with an early drive from distance that the Burnley number one tipped over safely.

Steve Kabba's diving header inside the six yard box then bounced inches wide as the Hornets looked to turn up the heat.

But the Clarets hit back and Gudjonsson, who packs a jackhammer of a right foot, forced Mart Poom into a full length parry with a trademark piledriver that seemed destined for the bottom corner.

And in the 58th minute, the Clarets finally made a deserved breakthrough.

Mahon's sweeping ball across the park found Elliott hugging the right touchline and his inch-perfect cross was effortlessly nodded into the corner by Gray.

Gray: On target again

The Vicarage Road faithful were stunned and incredibly turned to booing their team as the three quarter mark passed.

That was music to the ears of the visitors, who continued to deal with the aerial bombardment magnificently.

And with 11 minutes remaining the Clarets wrapped things up in sensational style.

Blake spotted Gudjonsson speeding past him inside his own half and spun superbly to send the Icelandic player sprinting clear inside his own half.

Racing half the length of the field, the ice man took the ball wide past Poom and superbly found the top corner from an ever-tightening angle.

Shittu handed Watford a lifeline with five minutes remaining with a fine low drive into the bottom corner from 18 yards.

But Burnley survived a breathless finale to pick up a sensational three points.

Burnley: Kiraly, Alexander, Carlisle, Unsworth, Harley, Elliott, Mahon, McCann, Lafferty (Gudjonsson 46), Gray (Akinbiyi 87), Blake (Jones 84).
Subs: Jensen, J O'Connor.

Watford: Poom, Doyley, Shittu, DeMerit, Stewart (Francis 74), Smith, Mahon (Ellington 80), Williamson, Kabba, King, Henderson (Priskin 74).
Subs: Lee, Jackson.

Ref: K Friend

Att: 15,021 (602 Burnley)