Four second-half goals from Vakoun Bayo gave Watford a stunning 6-2 victory over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

Michael Smith quickly cancelled out Ryan Porteous’ opener before penalties from Tom Ince and Bayo put Watford in the driving seat.

Bayo bagged his second and claimed the match ball either side of Pol Valentin’s reply for the Owls and then claimed his fourth in the closing stages.

Wednesday boss Danny Rohl made eight changes to the side that lost on penalties to Brentford in the Carabao Cup, with skipper Barry Bannan and top-scorer Josh Windass returning to the starting XI.

Watford head coach Tom Cleverley made a couple of switches from the 1-0 win at home to Blackburn, with Pierre Dwomoh making his first start and Bayo coming in.

The hosts started on top with Di’Shon Bernard going close with a header twice in quick succession, first from Marvin Johnson’s cross from the left and then from Shea Charles’ free-kick from the right.

Smith nearly found himself on the end of a low cross but Hornets skipper Daniel Bachmann got down well to intercept.

Watford had their first chance when Bayo set up Yasser Larouci but he blazed his shot over the bar.

The visitors did take the lead in the 29th minute after Kwadwo Baah drove to the byline and cut back for Porteous to smash past keeper James Beadle.

Wednesday equalised five minutes later when Johnson’s cross was met by Smith and his volley wrong-footed the Watford keeper.

The Owls nearly went ahead after Smith flicked round the corner but Windass was denied by some brave keeping by Bachmann.

Watford restored their lead after 52 minutes when Bernard handled from a cross and referee Sam Allison pointed to the spot, Ince stepping up and sending Beadle the wrong way.

The Hornets were awarded another penalty when Dominic Iorfa tangled with Bayo, who slotted home in the 58th minute and that was the start of a second-half onslaught from the Ivorian.

Bayo got his second after 67 minutes when he headed in Giorgi Chakvetadze’s cross from the right of the penalty area.

Wednesday got one back in the 82nd minute as two substitutes combined. Jamal Lowe crossed in from the left and Valentin arrived at the back post to volley home.

Any hope of a comeback was shortlived as Bayo beat the offside trap and calmly chipped Beadle to give Watford their fifth and his third minutes later.

Bayo helped himself to his fourth in the 88th minute when he tapped home from Larouci’s low cross.