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CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND UP: Watford and Stoke begin season with big wins to take early lead at the top of the table

Watford laid down an early marker of their Sky Bet Championship promotion credentials with a 4-0 hammering of QPR.

After a disappointing campaign last time out, where they fell short of the play-offs, the Hornets hit the ground running and took the lead after just 36 seconds through Tom Dele-Bashiru.

Imran Louza, Matheus Martins and Vakoun Bayo added first-half goals as the Hornets ran riot against a woeful QPR.

Stoke also did the heavy lifting of their 4-1 win over Rotherham in the first half.

They led in the fifth minute thanks to Ki-Jana Hoever's opener before Andre Vidigal scored twice in first-half injury time.