BY AYODELE ODUMADE AT SELHURST PARK

The Watford manager Javi Gracia was pleased with his team after they came from a goal down to beat Crystal Palace 2-1, on a day that marked the second anniversary of one of their former managers, Graham Taylor. He said:

“I am proud of all my players not only for today, I think in all the games we have played we have competed well, keeping a very good level and this is our mentality to try to keep our level to the end. Before the game I was asked if I was happy with our home performances compared to our away games but I do not see the difference. We prepare as best as possible. Our mentality is always to do our best and I am very happy with all my players in the league and in the FA Cup as well.”

In the opening minutes Watford hit the post twice and Gracia was asked if he thought it would be one of those days and he said: “There were different moments in the game. I think we started very well with this clear chance. I knew we would create more chances during the game. But after the own goal it was more difficult for us and I think in that moment the team showed character ambition and to be able to turn this result around I think in this moment it was important for us.   Craig Cathcart had an eventful day as he scored at both ends. “Cathcart is one of the players with more minutes in this league. I trust him because he always shows very good level and commitment and he is a very important player for me. I know he scored an own goal today but afterwards he was able to score from a corner kick. In this moment we can speak about all the players and they all deserve my reward. It is difficult to score from a corner with Tomkins defending.

Tom Cleverley who got the winner for Watford had battled his way back from long term injury and the manager said: “He played in the last two games including the FA Cup. He is improving and he needs time to get back to his best condition but today he scored an amazing goal. 

Roy Hodgson whose Palace side let their lead slip away said: “It is tough to lose any game. It is even tough to lose at home. It was tough because we have been doing well lately. I was hoping we could move to a comfortable position in the table but we were not able to do it. That is football. We started well in the second half but we could not get the second goal. Tom Cleverley scored that wonder volley. At 2-1 with 15 minutes to go the game became what is was. Of the three goalkeepers (Wayne Hennessey replaced the injured Vicente Guaita)  you would have to say Ben Foster was the busiest. But we were fortunate to survive the earlier strikes against the post and we were lucky we clear the ball off the line.”

We were not as effective. We had our chances but only scored one goal. That is what football is. There are not many games when I have come off the field that I have thought we were outplayed. There have been games like this where we have either won or narrowly lost. We threw players forward and still tried not to concede another goal and that is to the players’ credit. If I was the Watford manager I would be proud of the way they defended. Cleverley had half a sight at goal came up with a wonderful volley.”