WATFORD?S New Year got off to a flier as Heidar Helguson grabbed the winner to secure their first home victory since August.
Millwall had Danny Dichio sent off ? and the striker was also dismissed when the two clubs clashed at the New Den earlier this season.
The Lions threatened early on with Marvin Elliott coming close after 15 minutes when he ended a surging run from midfield with a stinging 20-yard drive that home keeper Paul Jones tipped round a post. Both Barry Hayles and Dichio missed half -chances to take the lead before Dichio was booked on the half-hour for kicking out at Watford captain Sean Dyche.
The first half produced few real openings as the players struggled to cope with the swirling wind and rain.
Watford?s best chance came ten minutes before the break when Jermaine Darlington?s long ball found James Chambers, but his chip over Andy Marshall bounced wide.
Millwall were reduced to ten men within a few minutes of the second period. Dichio received his marching orders when referee Clive Penton showed him a second yellow card after he had clashed with Dyche once again.
Watford clinched the points when second-half substitute Anthony McNamee crossed dangerously into the penalty area 15 minutes from time. The Millwall defence were caught as Helguson arrived at the near post and flicked the ball over the stranded Marshall with the outside of his boot.
The Lions were unlucky not to level in injury-time when Alan Dunne?s header hit the bar and Josh Simpson fired the rebound against a post.
WATFORD: Jones 6 ? Doyley 7, Cox 6, Dyche 6 (Webber, 58 mins, 7), Darlington 7 ? Gunnarsson 7, Chambers 7, Mahon 6, Jackson 6 (McNamee 7, 70mins, 6) ? Devlin 6, *HELGUSON 8 MILLWALL: Marshall 6 ? Muscat 6, Lawrence 6, Phillips 6, Livermore 6 ? Sweeney 6 (Simpson, 45 mins, 6), Morris 6 (Dunne, 85 mins, 6), *ELLIOTT 7, Serioux 6 (Healy, 67mins, 6) ? Dichio 5, Hayles 6. Ref: C Penton 6.