Hornets Head Coach Rob Edwards was delighted his side secured three points with a dramatic 2-1 victory against Middlesbrough.

On the centenary anniversary of Watford’s first match at Vicarage Road, Ismaïla Sarr equalised after an early Boro header put the visitors into the lead. It left Vakoun Bayo to take the headlines, scoring his first goal for the club in second-half added time.

Edwards believes his side showed impressive fighting spirit to come back from behind and earn the victory.

“It was a really special occasion tonight and I feel very privileged and honoured to be involved and be a part of this club,” Edwards began.

“I’m really pleased for everyone connected to the club because it was a big night. I’m pleased that we were able to win it and in the fashion that we did in the end it sends everyone home happier.

“It was obvious that we didn’t start well, maybe it was the emotion of the night, but it was a disappointing goal to concede, and it probably knocked us for five minutes or so. Then we grew into it, and we started to show what I’ve always wanted - good character, quality, energy and tenacity which I was really pleased with.

“To get the equaliser was great timing and I think we should have got a second, and half-time almost came at the wrong time. After the break, we couldn’t take the same shape and Dan Bachmann, as he has done this season, made a fantastic save and we defended well on the line.

“Maybe we earned a bit of luck, but I’m really pleased for Bayo. He works incredibly hard and had a good chance before with his header, but he made up for it and it was a really nice feeling.”

The boss recognised that Middlesbrough were a threat, and knows the Hornets will need to keep improving and maintain momentum with a lot of the season remaining.

Edwards explained: “We knew Middlesbrough’s qualities and how they attack, especially down the sides with their outside centre-backs and the pace with their wing-backs. We had to be really at it defensively and there were a few moments where they were getting to the side, cutting the ball back and we were having to block shots on the edge of the box.

“Tracking back is a huge part of our defensive game and it’s a non-negotiable and something that we have to have. It comes more naturally to some than others and it’s something we’ll continue to work on. It’s something I’ve spoken about a lot.

“Maybe it got a bit open during the middle of the second half, but that was when both teams started to tire a bit and mistakes happen. However, we kept at it, kept them out and we managed to find that all-important winner.”

Following Bayo’s late strike, Edwards was pleased to see the striker get off the mark in a Watford shirt, with the Head Coach impressed with the Ivorian’s work rate.

In addition, the boss was really happy to continue to see the positive impact that João Pedro and Ismaïla Sarr have on the Hornets, after the duo combined for the opener.

“I thought they were all excellent tonight,” he continued. “It’s great for Bayo to get the winner. It would’ve been playing on Bayo’s mind [not scoring] because he had a few chances in other games, including the header a minute or two before he scored. Maybe it was playing in his mind as he moved back onside for the goal.

“In the end, no-one cares who gets the winner, but I am pleased for him because he’s a great lad and he works really hard for the team, and strikers want goals and he’s got one tonight.

“As for João Pedro and Sarr, we’ve never had to question their commitment. They’ve never sulked or moaned. They’ve both been brilliant, through a difficult period for them. They’re young men and they’ve both played a huge part in earning us three points tonight.”

With the Hornets heading north to face Rotherham United this weekend (Saturday September 3, 3pm KO), Edwards will be hoping to maintain the momentum gained from the special evening.

“We’re not the finished article right now,” he added. “We’ve had an incredibly difficult month with a lot of games and stuff going on. We’ve had to adapt, we have lost a lot of players to injury and a lot of senior players are not quite ready yet. In a few weeks, I expect to get people back and we will be in a better place.

“To get the points that we’ve got after seven games is pretty respectable considering everything that has gone on. We weren’t at our best tonight and Middlesbrough are a very good team, but we found a way to win. We haven’t hit the heights I want to consistently, but I think in a few weeks’ time we’ll be better.”

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