Watford head coach Javi Gracia praised his side’s work ethic after their 1-0 victory over Everton at Vicarage Road.
Troy Deeney scored the only of the game in the 87th minute as Watford moved up to 10th, one point behind opponents Everton and six clear of the relegation zone.
And Gracia, who has overseen two victories, two defeats and a draw since he succeeded Marco Silva, insisted his side deserved their victory.
“I am very happy today because we got three very important points against a very good team,” Gracia said.
“I know it was a very tough game, but the most important thing was we worked a lot during all the match and we took our moment and score a good goal.
“We did many other things like more possession, more shots on target but it was a very difficult game because Everton had chances too.
“We knew we had to be patient, take our moment to score a good goal and win. We needed to work a lot.
“I am very proud of my players because we deserved the three points.”
In what was a drab affair at times at Vicarage Road, Gracia changed Watford’s shape early in the second half to give them two strikers, and it was substitute Stefano Okaka whose right-wing cross picked out Deeney for the striker’s winner.
“It was the moment when we changed in the second half,” Gracia added.
“It was a change I made looking for two strikers. It was the moment to play this way.
“Stefano worked a lot and helped us to get three points.”
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