Stoke ended a run of five games without a win as Ryan Shawcross and Peter Crouch netted in a 2-0 victory over Watford on Tuesday night.
Crouch had been out in the wilderness under Mark Hughes but his second goal in three days put a strong case forward for his contract, which expires in July, to be renewed at the end of the season.
Two crosses from Charlie Adam provided the goals as Watford's defensive frailties came to the fore again, meaning Walter Mazzarri's men have gone 10 games without a clean sheet.
The defeat also means Watford have won just one of their last eight games.
Hughes had Marko Arnautovic available for selection again after the Austrian's three-match ban, while Watford made three changes to the side blown away 4-1 by Tottenham.
There was no place for Nordin Amrabat, who was one of 10 first-team players missing through injury, meaning Watford had three academy graduates on the bench.
Both teams looked nervy in the opening exchanges and chances were at a premium.
Arnautovic and Jose Holebas livened things up with a couple of skillful nutmegs but it failed to spark the game into life.
Crouch had a header punched clear by Heurelho Gomes on 31 minutes and Abdoulaye Doucouré should have done better for Watford minutes later when found by Holebas but he decided to pass to Troy Deeney instead of taking the shot on.
The first-half looked to be fizzling out but Shawcross struck with the last kick before the interval.
Three minutes into added time, Adam swung a low corner into the near post and Shawcross brushed aside the attentions of Adlène Guedioura before side-footing home into the bottom corner - it was the 10th time Watford have conceded from a corner this season.
Stoke goalkeeper Lee Grant is set to turn his loan move from Derby into a permanent one in this transfer window and he proved his worth on 48 minutes to palm away an effort from Doucouré.
It proved to be a big moment in the match as 90 seconds later, Stoke were 2-0 to the good.
Adam was given far too much space to whip a low cross into the near post, which was missed by Sebastian Prodl and Crouch was on hand to force the ball home with his knee.
Jonathan Walters was twice denied by Gomes in the final quarter of the match - firstly from close range after a Crouch knockdown and then from 15 yards when the goalkeeper threw a strong hand to divert the ball over the crossbar.
Despite the deficit, Watford never gave up the fight and Prodl flicked a header inches wide with 13 minutes remaining.
But Stoke held on for a much-needed victory and clean sheet, having shipped four goals apiece in their previous two defeats to Liverpool and Chelsea.
Player Ratings
Stoke: Grant (7), Johnson (6), Shawcross (7), M.Indi (7), Diouf (7), Allen (7), Adam (8), Pieters (7), Arnautovic (7); Crouch (7), Walters (6)
Subs: Whelen (6), Affeley (6).
Watford: Gomes (7), Kaboul (5), Prödl (5), Kabasele (6), Britos (5), Doucouré (6), Guedioura (5), Behrami (6), Capoue (6), Holebas (7), Deeney (6)
Subs: Sinclair (6), Ighalo (5)