Thursday 16 April 2015 08:33, UK
Watford boss Slavisa Jokanovic was pleased with his side's performance at the City Ground as they beat 10-man Nottingham Forest 3-1 to remain right in the hunt for promotion to the Premier League.
Goals from Odion Ighalo and Matthew Connolly handed the Hornets a comfortable half-time lead, and after Gary Gardner reduced the deficit for Forest following Kelvin Wilson's red card, Almen Abdi added a late third to seal an important win that takes Watford to within a point of the top spot.
"I have to be happy and it was a big three points and a very important step for us," said Jokanovic. "We scored a quick goal, which was vital and then we played with confidence.
"There was a 20-minute period in the second half when we didn't do want we wanted to do, but we eventually got the ball back and scored a third goal."
Ighalo netted his 20th goal of the campaign as he headed in Abdi's corner to give Watford the lead inside four minutes.
Connolly struck for the first time in two years to double the Hornets advantage just before the break, although the game was far from one-sided.
Forest brought several saves out of Heurelho Gomes, with Chris Burke, Michail Antonio, Ben Osborn and Gardner among those denied by the Brazilian before the break.
Just before the hour mark, Wilson saw red for a petulant kick out at Ighalo after the pair had tussled near the halfway line, but if anything his dismissal galvanised the Reds.
They reduced the deficit after 73 minutes when Gardner slammed in a stunning free-kick and after Forest's Antonio prodded wide of an empty net from just six yards, Abdi wrapped up the points.
Jokanovic admitted that his side needed to dig in after Forest were reduced to 10, adding: "It's not always easy to play against 10 players and to put the game under control. They scored a goal and they started to believe they could draw the game.
"We arrived here under pressure after last night's results. Forest are a tough team and this stadium is not the easiest to play in and it was a good step for us to come through."
On the thrilling chase for the title and promotion, he said: "It's nice competition for the supporters, but I try to keep calm and in control of my team and support my players. We have to keep positive in the next three matches."
Forest manager Dougie Freedman was downhearted by the loss, but buoyed by the display of his players.
He said: "I am very disappointed with the result, but the spirit and commitment could not be faulted.
"Their goalkeeper was man of the match and all in all, if the game was based on chances, we would have won.
"We upped our game, didn't lie down and had a right go at that them. I think they were proud to wear the jersey tonight. The difference was what we did in our box and they were a bit more ruthless than us. I think the crowd appreciated the effort as well."
On Wilson's dismissal, Freedman thought referee Paul Tierney made the right decision, saying: "I have no complaints on the sending off, although the players seemed to think there was an injustice at the time."
