Sean Dyche says Burnley's win over 10-man Watford was 'deserved'

Saturday 9 December 2017 19:57, UK

Sean Dyche saluted a "deserved" win for Burnley as they beat Watford 1-0 at Turf Moor on Saturday.

Scott Arfield scored the only goal of the game shortly before half-time after Marvin Zeegelaar was sent off in the 39th minute.

While Watford boss Marco Silva said the result was unfair, Dyche praised his team's performance as they strengthened their position in seventh in the Premier League.

"It's a very good win in the end," he told Sky Sports. "It was eventful for many reasons. I thought they started well and we didn't, then we grew into the game and had the sending off. Then we scored a good goal from Scotty Arfield and we really saw the game out pretty well overall.

"We had two goals chalked off, which were big decisions, and we didn't get the rub of the green on them, but it was a deserved victory."

Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes both saw goals ruled out in the second half for offside, with the latter a tight call that was only decided upon after referee Lee Probert spoke to his assistant.

"It cannoned off two of their players, and our player is not even trying to play it to Barnes," said Dyche. "He's trying to play it to Wood, and somehow they have found that to be offside.

"It might be the correct decision, I am not sure, but if it's right then fair play because I think everybody in the ground thought it was a goal."

Dyche also highlighted the performances by Arfield and Kevin Long, who came into the side in the absence of Robbie Brady and Ben Mee.

"Great credit to them as professionals because it's not easy when you are not playing every week," he said. "The way they look after themselves and the work the staff do with the players. Their clarity of thought has been superb.

"Whenever we have had to change and bring players in or players have been waiting they have delivered, and they did today. Obviously Scotty today, not just his goal but his performance, and Kevin Long."