10-man Watford beat Kompany's Burnley to go top without Emmanuel Dennis

Rob Edwards-led Watford climbed to the top of the English Championship table with a victory over Vincent Kompany's Burnley despite playing without star striker Emmanuel Dennis.

The Hornets picked up a 1-0 victory at Vicarage Road on Friday night courtesy of Tom Cleverley's goal in first-half added time as last season's Premier League bottom-dwellers continue their unbeaten start to the Championship.

Nigerian international Dennis was not part of the squad that played Burnley, presumably as a result of his imminent move to Nottingham Forest.

Pulse Sports Nigeria earlier reported that the 25-year-old forward was close to signing for Nottingham Forest with an agreement on the transfer fee said to already be in place between both clubs.

Dennis was thus, totally left out of the 17-man Matchday squad to face Burnley for the first match of Matchday 3 in England's second-tier division.

The former Club Brugge forward had featured in all Championship matches for Watford this season (against Sheffield United and West Bromwich Albion) up until Friday's visit of  Burley.