Haji Wright scored twice at Vicarage Road to secure all three points for the Sky Blues.
Ryan Porteous had put Watford in front, but goals either side of half-time from Wright completed the turnaround for City.
The win moves City within a point of the top six in their final league fixture before the international break.
It was a superb start to the game for the Sky Blues, as they were on the front foot from second one, as they looked to get into an early lead.
Firstly, a ball across the box from Haji Wright was intercepted at the back post and then moments after the ball broke for Jake Bidwell and his strike went narrowly wide of goal.
At the other end, a shot from distance by Edo Kayembe was kept out by Brad Collins, as the City ‘keeper got down low to his left.
Another strike, from a similar position, fell to the hosts, but this time it was Ismael Kone with the effort, and he couldn’t find the target.
The Hornets would take the lead inside the opening 20 minutes from a long throw which was flicked on by Ryan Porteous and it looped over the head of Brad Collins and into the back of the net.
City were looking for a way back into the game and they had multiple attempts in quick succession, with both shots falling to Wright, but he couldn’t make the breakthrough either time, with Bachmann and Porteous denying him.
Haji Wright wouldn’t be denied again as he drew the Sky Blues level after dispatching a penalty, which had been won following some excellent play by Josh Eccles to beat Porteous, before being brought down by Bachmann.
Ellis Simms had a sight at goal before the half-time whistle went, but his volley deflected over the bar.
HALF-TIME: Watford 1-1 Sky Blues
City started the second half how they had finished the first and they weren’t far away from taking the lead for the first time in the game, but Wright’s run down the left saw his shot saved at his near post by the Watford shot stopper.
Watford created chances for themselves, but they didn’t trouble Collins, as Bayo fired wide and Wesley Hoedt headed the ball into the City ‘keepers arms.
20 minutes to go and the Sky Blues finally took the lead, and it was a sensational strike by Wright to take a touch and drill the ball into the bottom corner from outside of the area.
FULL-TIME: Watford 1-2 Sky Blues
Goals: Ryan Porteous 19’, Haji Wright 40’ 72’
Yellows: Liam Kelly, Kasey Palmer, Wesley Hoedt, Jake Bidwell, Bobby Thomas
Reds:
Attendance: 18,907 (2,104 away)
Watford XI: Daniel Bachmann (GK), Ryan Andrews, Wesley Hoedt (C), Ryan Porteous, Jamal Lewis, Tom Dele-Bashiru, Edo Kayembe, Ismael Kone, Girogi Chakvetadze (Bayo 46’), Emmanuel Dennis (Martins 63’), Yaser Asprilla (Ince 75’).
Subs: Ben Hamer (GK), Francisco Sierralta, Tom Ince, Mileta Rajovic, Mattie Pollock, Vakoun Bayo, Matheus Martins, James Morris, Jack Grieves.
Sky Blues XI: Brad Collins (GK), Bobby Thomas, Joel Latibeaudiere, Liam Kitching; Josh Eccles, Liam Kelly (C) (van Ewijk 46’), Victor Torp (Sheaf 58’), Jake Bidwell; Kasey Palmer (O’Hare 58’); Haji Wright, Ellis Simms.
Subs: Ben Wilson (GK), Luis Binks, Jay Dasilva, Milan van Ewijk, Ben Sheaf, Kai Andrews, Callum O'Hare, Matty Godden, Fabio Tavares.
