Roy Hodgson described Watford’s return to winning ways as a “feeling of great satisfaction” after the Hornets survived a late flurry of attacks to beat Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium.
The spotlight was on Cucho Hernández on the south coast after the Colombian netted two impressive first-half goals to win the game for the visitors, earning praise from his manager.
Conceding in stoppage time before the break, Watford displayed the defensive solidity honed under Hodgson to keep the score at 2-1 until the end, with the Hornets now only in the relegation zone on goal difference.
“I thought that the attitude of the players and desire to play well and win this game was there for all to see,” stated Hodgson.
“The three front players, who we have been berating to try and get a little bit more pressing, more understanding, and their positional play, I thought that was a very positive aspect of our play. Apart from the fact they did pressurise the Southampton defence, they managed to create some pretty good goalscoring chances as well.
“It's a feeling of great satisfaction. It wasn't just the win, it was seeing the team do so well to deserve the win.
“What also pleased me was the fact that after conceding in injury time at the end of the first half and not having the cushion at half-time, that goal could have really dented our confidence and belief, but it certainly didn’t.”
Watford’s determination in defence during the second period stood out to Hodgson, especially as Southampton mounted a final effort to unsettle his side at the back, with crosses flying into red and white shirts in the box. Hodgson noted the full voice of the away faithful inside the stadium, highlighting the supporters as key to seeing out victory.
“Resilience is such an important factor in top Premier League football,” the Watford boss continued. “It doesn’t matter if you’re at the bottom or fighting for a place in the Champions League, to stay in the game and deal with the corners and free-kicks that might be coming your way, you’ve got to have the resilience to come through that.
“There's not going to be many games that aren't going to be as edgy towards the end, with teams loading balls into your penalty area. That's inevitable as the need greatens. It's a great result and it will fuel our desire to win at home as well as away.
“I must say I thought our crowd were incredible. It was like playing at home. We couldn't possibly have asked any more of them today.”
Cucho Hernández was the star of the show after his brace, making it three goals in three games for the Colombian. But it wasn’t just his clinical finishing that endeared himself to Hodgson.
The manager continued: “He’s played well. The other thing about Cucho Hernández, his attitude was good, his work-rate was good, he runs throughout and doesn’t stop.
“For us in the time we have left at the club, we’re going to have to keep working on his understanding and what we expect positionally from him, but that’s normal and I think he wants that. Every moment we can get to work with him and discuss which positions we’d like him in, that’s a benefit.
“One thing he obviously knows how to do is score when a chance comes his way. The goal against Arsenal and his second today were great goals, and the first goal, that's the guts, determination, resilience and desire that I’m afraid I talk about far too often.”
