Sean Dyche is proud of his Burnley players despite 2-1 Watford defeat

Despite seeing his side lose 2-1 to Watford, Sean Dyche was still impressed with Burnley's performance.

Headed goals from Troy Deeney and M'Baye Niang saw Watford battle past 10-man Burnley in the Hornets' 2-1 win on Saturday afternoon.

A controversial red card for Burnley midfielder Jeff Hendrick in the sixth minute proved an early advantage for Watford, who scored through Deeney and January signing Niang before the break.

Burnley pulled a goal back through an Ashley Barnes penalty in the 78th minute after a Sebastian Prodl handball, but the Clarets could not find an equaliser as Watford held on for the win.

And Dyche says despite the defeat, there is plenty his team can be happy about.

Live Nissan Super Sunday

"I thought we were absolutely fantastic," he told Sky Sports after the match.

"It's so difficult to play that amount of time away from home in the Premier League with ten men.

"In the second half, to take the game on. We had clear view of trying to win it even 2-0 down.

"I'm so pleased with the players and we got a couple of chances right at the death where you think you're going to get something from the game.

"If we keep going with our business like we are then we'll be fine without a shadow of a doubt."

Hendrick's red card in the sixth minute for a tough challenge on Jose Holebas was a point of controversy in the match, but Dyche could understand why the referee sent his 25-year-old midfielder off.

He said: "It's a tough one I think for the referee. I can see why he has had to give it.

"I don't think there is a lot of actual contact but his foot hits the top of the ball, his leg goes over the top. We know that nowadays most times that was a sending off. It wasn't a vicious one."