By Chris Harvey Last updated: 11th May 2008
ALL OVER: What a result for the Tigers. They've never had top-flight football in Hull but they are a huge step closer now. Thanks for joining me for commentary. We will have reports and reaction in due course plus we'll be at the KC on Wednesday for the second leg.
Great stop: Campbell has another chance to wrap things up. He twists and turns before curling in a left footed shot which is beaten away by Lee. That could still keep this tie alive.
Added time: Just three minutes added on.
90 - Safe hands: Myhill does well again to deny another Watford attack, keeping out Priskin once again.
89 - Wasted: Hughes gets space in the box but tries to go it alone rather than pick out Doyle and Folan who were well placed.
85 - Pressure: Watford are not giving this up and are battling to stay in the tie. Only desperate defending from the visitors keeps them out.
81 - Off the post: Substitute Doyle curls in a fabulous effort which comes back off the post into the path off Campbell who spoons it over from close range. Yet another chance to wrap things up.
Feedback: Paul rom the Philippines has been on. He's delighted for the Hull-born duo Windass and Barmby and thinks the Tigers are on their way to Wembley.
79 - Danger: Priskin has looked a handful since coming on and he drives into the box but his effort is blocked by Brown.
78 - Booked: Priskin sees yellow but that seeed a bit harsh - again!
75 - Super save: Myhill's looked unbeatable today and he denies Priskin at the near post. There was venom in that shot for sure and Myhill stood up well.
74 - Substitution: Garcia makes way for Nathan Doyle.
73 - Double change: Last thrown of the dice from Boothroyd. He takes off Ainsworth and Doyley, bringing on Tamas Priskin and John O'Toole.
71 - Denied: Campbell is put through but fails to beat Richard Lee. What a golden chance that was.
70 - Hash of it: Both Brian Hughes and Campbell have chances to make it three for the visitors but both fluff their lines after good work by substitute Folan.
68 - Substitution: Windass makes way to save his ageing legs for the second leg. The veteran striker's done really well. He's replaced by Caleb Folan.
66 - Great stop: Another great stop from Myhill, this time with his legs to deny Ellington.
Angry: Rob the hornet is furious with referee Kevin Friend's decision to send off Eustace. He's now pal of yours then Rob.
65 - Double chance: Campbell finds space twice in as many minutes but fails to make the most of either opportunity.
64 - Substitution: The pass to Campbell is Barmby's last contribution. After missing so much football he did well to give Phil Brown an hour and his contribution has been massive. Craig Fagan replaces him.
63 - Near miss: Barmby picks out Campbell who swivels and gets in a shot which flies over.
All over? Eddie reckons the Hornets now have as much chance of making it to Wembley as Derby have of staying in the Premier League - that'll be no chance then!
61 - Shittu off: That's the end of the big defender's afternoon. He limps off to be replaced by Jay Demerit.
59 - SENT-OFF: Eustace receives his marching orders after a scuffle. He came in hard on Ricketts but it looks a bit harsh to me at first glance. Okay he then went toe to toe with Ian Ashbee but it looked a booking at worst. Watford have a mountain to climb now
58 - Shittu return: The big man's back on but he's moving gingerly. Watford can't afford him to be forced out of the tie.
Thoughts: Let me know whether you think Watford can get back into this - or whether Hull City have one foot on Wembley Way. Let me know via the feedback button or by emailing me - chris.harvey@bskyb.com
55 - Corner: The ball is swung in to the near post but Andy Dawson heads away for the visitors. Shittu seemed to get hurt in that exchange - he's clutching his hanstring.
54 - Poor delivery: Lee Williamson has chance to create pressure in the City goalmouth but he fails to beat the first man.
48 - What a save: Incredible stuff from Myhill. Saddler volleys from 15 yards out yet Myhill, whose view must have been obscured, flies to his right to tip the ball round the post. I've not seen many better this season. That was just incredible. If the Tigers go on to Wembley that could prove a pivotal moment.
47 - Just over: Shittu causes problems again but heads just over.
46 - Push: Ricketts tries to get round the back but he's penalised for a push.
We're back: Watford get the second half underway. Wonder what Boothroyd had to say at half-time. Hope there were not teacups broken!
Great start: Eddie has been thrilled with the first period but is warning all Tigers fans not to write off the Hornets just yet. Wise words Eddie.
~Good football: Rob in New York thinks Henderson's absence is helping Watford and that they are playing some good stuff. He's looking for better in the second half.
What a choker: JoJo in Kansas City says he amost choked on his breakfast bagel when Watford's goal was disallowed. He still thinks they can get back into it and win at the KC Stadium.
HALF-TIME: Barmby and Windass have put the Tigers in a great position here. Let me have your thoughts on a great 45 minutes for the visitors chris.harvey@bskyb.com I'm just going to get a quick sandwich and I'll be back for the second-half.
46 - Tipped over: More trickery from Smith who creates an opening for himself but Myhill responds well to tip the ball over the bar.
45 - Added time: Just a couple of minutes to go before the break. What have been your impressions of the first half? Let me know - chris.harvey@bskyb.com or hit the feedback button on the Score Centre
42 - Pressure: Watford keep the ball alive in the away side's box. The ball drops to Matthew Sadler who hammers it high a wide. Watford desperately need to get one back before the break to make Adie Boothroyd's half-time team talk a bit easier.
39 - Curler: Smith has a go from long range but the ball does not come back quickly enough.
37 - Close call: From the resulting corner, the visitors' defence fails to deal with the ball into the box and Tommy Smith just fails to connect from only a couple of yards out. That could have made a huge difference with half-time approaching.
36 - Super save: McAnuff has been superb this first half and he cuts in from the left to test Myhill who is up to the task and tips it over the bar.
34 - Kiwi fan: Neil from Christchurch, New Zealand, has been in touch pleading with Hull to get a third and kill things off. Adrian thinks the disallowed goal was clear obstruction. Can't say I share your conviction Adrian.
33 - Browned off: The fourth official has a word with City boss Phil Brown who has been walkabout from his technical area.
29 - My ball! Good claim from Myhill after more good work from McAnuff. He looks a constant threat and is making life tough for Sam Ricketss.
28 - Campbell away: The on-loan youngster gets clear and feeds Windass 18 yards out. He goes for the chip but his effort is headed away. Good opening to kill the tie that one. Deano will be disappointed.
27 - Home chance: McAnuff causes problems again but Ellington can't get space and his effort is blocked.
24 - Stunned: The home side can't believe it - and their fans can't either. They need to dig deep or this tie will be over before the second leg. The disallowed early goal was a shattering blow.
22 - GOAL TIGERS! The visitors go 2-0 up and again it's Barmby at the heart of things. He plays in Andy Dawson who stands up an excellent cross. Campbell's header is deflected onto the bar and evergreen Dean Windass reacts first to nod it in from a couple of yards out. Incredible start for the vistors.
Long distance feedback: ~Eddie's been following Hull City since the days of Raich Carter. He now lives in Israel and he's a happy man.
19 - Super cross: Lionel Ainsworth gets space on the right and swings in a good cross but it just evades Ellington. Watford are putting together some better stuff now.
Stronger? Ronny from Sweden has been in touch and is not concerned. He thinks the home team will come on strong in the second half. Adam's sending his best wishes to the Tigers. He's at work so can't see the game. Stick with me Adam and I'll keep you up to date as best I can. We'll have reaction and reports after the game too.
15 - Home chance: McAnuff does well down the left, teasing the defence and gets a cross to the near post but Nathan Ellington can't get his close-range effort on target.
14 - Scramble: The livewire Campbell chases down a through ball and as Richard Lee hesitates he nearly nips in but the keeper gathers at the second attempt.
Feedback: Kev from Hull's been in touch. He reckons City will run out 3-1 winners. Lots of confidence from the vistors after this golden start. What about you Hornets fans? Do you feel hard done to by the controversial start? Let me know - chris.harvey@bskyb.com
11 - Good chance: Barmby hooks in a great cross from the left and Campbell leaps but can only get a glancing header on the ball and it goes well wide. Campbell should have made more of that - it was a clear opening.
10 - Campbell foul: Nasty tackle on the on-loan striker by John Eustace but he gets up straightaway.
7 - GOAL TIGERS! What a moment for the recalled Barmby. Shittu misjudges a header as he comes wide to clear the danger. Fraizer Campbell capitalises and lays it back in to the path of the former England international who makes no mistake from 10 yards. What a start to this game and what a big call from Phil Brown to recall Barmby.
4 - Disallowed: Watford think they've drawn first blood. Jobi Mcanuff swings in a corner after his shot is deflected over the bar. Danny Shittu towers above the visitors' defence and powers his header in from 5 yards but the goal is ruled out. It must have been for a push on goalkeeper Boaz Myhill but there was not much there. A let off for the Tigers and the home side go bonkers with the referee.
3 - Head tennis: It's not a pretty start and the ball is spending most of the time in the air.
Hope for Hull Neutral Graham who now lives in Hull says he hopes the Tigers come on top and that Watford are "just a yo-yo team". What do you think of that Hornets fans?
Predictions: The skysports.com match poll has the Tigers favourites to take a lead back to the KC Stadium. What do you think of that Watford fans?
We're off: Hull City, in all white, get the game underway. As every there's a huge air of tension around the ground.
Team news: The visitors have brought in Nick Barmby and Richard Garcia for this tie. Will Barmby's big match experience be crucial. Email me your thoughts on this and any other aspect of the game at chris.harvey@bskyb.com or if you've a prediction then let me know.
Welcome: Thanks for tuning in to follow live coverage of this play-off semi-final with the two teams vying for a place at Wembley and ultimately promotion to the promised land of the Premier League. Vicarage Road is awash with colour from both sets of fans. The Tigers are well backed by a large travelling support.
Hull team: Myhill, Ricketts, Turner, Brown, Dawson, Barmby, Ashbee,Hughes, Garcia, Windass, Campbell.
Watford team: Lee, Doyley, Shittu, Bromby, Sadler, Ainsworth, Williamson, Eustace, McAnuff, Smith, Ellington.
Di Matteo's Italian job, calamity Carlisle and Robbie Savage's 'do - Peter Beagrie talks League One.
Lampard & Gerrard, record wins, new foes and Under 21 info. Martin Tyler is all over England this week...
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Birmingham City | 10 | 23 |
| 2 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 10 | 22 |
| 3 | Reading | 10 | 20 |
| 4 | Sheffield United | 10 | 17 |
| 5 | Plymouth Argyle | 10 | 15 |
| 6 | Coventry City | 10 | 15 |
| 7 | Cardiff City | 10 | 15 |
| 8 | Swansea City | 10 | 15 |
| 9 | Burnley | 10 | 15 |
| 10 | Sheffield Wednesday | 10 | 15 |
| 11 | Queens Park Rangers | 10 | 14 |
| 12 | Preston North End | 10 | 14 |
| 13 | Bristol City | 10 | 13 |
| 14 | Charlton Athletic | 10 | 13 |
| 15 | Derby County | 10 | 13 |
| 16 | Blackpool | 10 | 13 |
| 17 | Ipswich Town | 10 | 12 |
| 18 | Crystal Palace | 10 | 12 |
| 19 | Watford | 10 | 11 |
| 20 | Southampton | 10 | 11 |
| 21 | Norwich City | 10 | 10 |
| 22 | Barnsley | 10 | 8 |
| 23 | Doncaster Rovers | 10 | 7 |
| 24 | Nottingham Forest | 10 | 5 |