But the victory came at a cost. Craig Bellamy never came out for the second half after being clattered in the first 45 mins and Tommy Smith was struggling when he left the field late in the game.
On the positive side though Cardiff set a new record for winning their opening home games of the season and stay level on points at the top of the Championship with Leicester, who also won last night.
Middlesbrough move to third, three points behind City.
Before the game there was applause for the emergency services who tended to the injured victims of last Friday's hit and run incidents and then a minutes silence (pictured) as a mark of respect to Karina Menzies.
On the pitch Cardiff came back from being a goal down to win the match with an injury time goal from Aron Gunnarsson. That after Watford had two men sent off and Peter Whittingham scored a penalty.
A strange game, frustrating at times but a welcome outcome.
Next up it's City v Burnley on Saturday, ko 3:00pm. The Clarets come to CCS on tghe back of a 4 - 3 win at Ashton Gate last night over Bristol City.