Gianfranco Zola described Watford’s crucial 1-0 victory over promotion-rivals Hull City as a rollercoaster and believes his side’s desire to secure the win was what made the difference.

Troy Deeney’s first-half goal ensured Watford moved to within one point of Hull in the automatic places.

Zola said: “I am very pleased. We won an incredible game in which we played very well.

“We enjoyed some very good football in the first half and we scored a great goal.

“We also suffered and fought so much in the second half that it made this game a rollercoaster. It was so emotional towards the end.

“But we came away with three points and I am very pleased and proud of my team because it was a game where we needed to perform and get points. We did it in the right way.”

He continued: “After the first 15, 20 minutes we got control of the game and played some good stuff and scored a good goal.

“In the second half, obviously they build up the pressure and put a lot of bodies in the box and our defenders were excellent.

“Marco Cassetti was outstanding and also Joel Ekstrand and Lloyd Doyley. Even Ikechi Anya, who is not a defender, worked really hard [defensively].

“Everyone gave us a big contribution to this victory.

“We really wanted it desperately and that is what made the difference.

Click here to read a report from the game.