Watford players party on the team bus following fairytale return to Premier League

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Watford have sealed an automatic return to the Premier League following their 2-0 win at Brighton and Middlesbrough's 4-3 loss at Fulham
Players celebrated wildly on the team-bus as the news came in
Defender Tommie Hoban is confident that the team has what it takes to stay up next season and insists they already have a strong squad to build on

By Jack Gaughan For Mail Online

Published: 13:11 EST, 25 April 2015 | Updated: 19:27 EST, 25 April 2015

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Watford dramatically clinched promotion to the Premier League on Saturday on a typically manic afternoon in the Championship - and insist they're well-equipped to stay in the top flight.

Slavisa Jokanovic's men beat Brighton 2-0 at the Amex Stadium in the early kick-off and were hoping that Middlesbrough lost plus Norwich failing to win.

Both those results came in during a sensational final five minutes, with Fulham beating Aitor Karanka's Boro 4-3 in stoppage time after Rotherham had equalised against Norwich moments before.

Watford players celebrate Premier League promotion on the team...

Watford have secured promotion back to the Premier League after their 2-0 win away at Brighton

As results from the other games come through, players celebrate wildly on the team-bus

Players can be seen screaming, shouting and singing as Middlesbrough and Norwich both dropped points

Watford will now return to the Premier League for the first time since the 2006-07 campaign

Defender Tommie Hoban has called the club's promotion an 'unbelievable achievement'

Watford had won at Brighton and were travelling back home on the team coach when news filtered through on that they had won promotion three hours afterwards.

Players and staff erupted on the bus when Ross McCormack scored a 94th-minute winner for Fulham at Craven Cottage.

The squad uploaded numerous videos on the internet in the immediate aftermath, with Tommie Hoban labelling it an 'unbelievable achievement'.

'For Middlesbrough to lose like this - it's a magical division. There is no other league like it,' Hoban said.

'Luckily we'd just got into the training ground as Rotherham scored. It is the best day ever, it hasn't sunk in yet.

'I think we can definitely stay up - we have a stronger squad than a few of those teams in the Premier League and will add in the summer.'

Sportsmail's Big Match Stats: Brighton 0-2 Watford

Watford forward Troy Deeney celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Brighton on Saturday

Twenty-goal striker Odion Ighalo added: 'It is dream to play in the Premier League.

'It was very tense because we were waiting and listening. We're in good spirits now. This is what I came to England for, to play in the Premier League.

'We can stay in the Premier League. We are very calm. It's not going to be easy but the way we are playing now... I think we can stay there.'

It ends Watford's eight-year absence from the top flight after suffering relegation back in 2007. The squad were out partying in the town last night.

Troy Deeney opened the scoring at Brighton before a stoppage-time Matej Vydra goal sealed the points.

Middlesbrough's capitulation at Craven Cottage also means Bournemouth will effectively earn promotion should they beat Bolton tomorrow by virtue of superior goal difference.