Ismaila Sarr scored twice as Watford defeated Reading 2-0 on Friday to edge closer to a return to the Premier League. Watford, relegated from the top flight last season, stay second, five points behind leaders Norwich. Crucially, they have an imposing 12-point lead over third-place Brentford. Reading remain in the final play-off slot in sixth place but are in danger of being overtaken by Bournemouth, who now have two games in hand. Senegalese Sarr gave Watford a 12th-minute lead with a left-footed drive past Reading goalkeeper Rafael Cabral. He made it 2-0 within 77 seconds with a shot from a tight angle. dj/dmc