Sunday 30 November 2014 17:16, UK
Boss Russell Slade praised a "really solid performance" as Cardiff picked up their first away win of the season and inflicted a fourth straight loss on Watford with a 1-0 victory at Vicarage Road.
Adam Le Fondre scored the game's only goal in the 12th minute to settle the Championship clash.
Slade said: "I think we set our stall out in the first half. I thought it was a good away performance in the first period against a very good side.
"They created chances - they'll create chances against everybody in this league - but we were resolute and we kept persevering in the second half. We were trying to remain a threat as well on the counter-attack, but it was a really, really solid performance.
"We couldn't have delivered that three or four weeks ago, that's for sure, but we're coming together now, the group's coming together, working hard for each other. I saw some really good qualities out there today."
Slade said he was "delighted" for match-winner Le Fondre and added: "(I'm) delighted for the group because it's normal for people to knock us because we haven't won a game away from home, or just won one in 25, whatever it is."
Victory left Cardiff just two points off the play-off places and level on points with Watford, whose form has nose-dived.
Hornets head coach Slavisa Jokanovic struggled to explain the defeat, given his side dominated possession and had more than 20 attempts on goal.
He said: "We are disappointed after this game. It's very difficult to make some explanation for what happened today. That is four times for us and we are not in an easy situation about many things.
"We have control, we make chances, we make the one mistake. We had a problem with long balls, especially with (Kenwyne) Jones in the first half, but we fixed this problem. It's not easy for us to explain.
"I understand many people are disappointed. We must apologise for this bad result, but we have to continue working and try to find a solution."
