Hornets head coach Beppe Sannino believes Watford could have killed off Leicester City in the 2-2 draw at the King Power Stadium but insists his team put in a “very, very good performance”.

The Golden Boys were 2-0 up against the league leaders in the first half thanks to goals from Fernando Forestieri and Sean Murray but Matty James pulled a goal back before the break and Danny Drinkwater equalised deep into injury time.

The Hornets created a handful of dangerous counter-attacks, particularly in the second half, but were unable to execute the final pass to put the game to bed.

“The second half was a different game,” Sannino said. “We know Leicester have a lot of good qualities at home so we expected them to come back strong.

“Don't forget in the second half we had very good chances to kill off the game.”

He continued: “It was a very, very good performance against a team that was on a good run with nine wins in a row, against a great club and I think we caused them a lot of problems today.

“To come here and have the chance to kill off the game against a team with as much quality as Leicester gives us some positives.”

It is the third time in four matches Watford have thrown away a two-goal advantage with the other occasions resulting in 4-2 losses at Manchester City and Nottingham Forest.

“I have belonged to the football world for a long time now and when you feel disappointed, you have to realise there always two sides to the coin,” Sannino explained.

“You can see the game either as a game half lost or a game half won.”

The Italian boss kept faith with the 3-5-2 formation that had worked in the victory over Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend and said he wanted to contain Leicester’s pace in attack.

“We always play like that - I joined a club that was already playing under Gianfranco Zola with the same tactics,” he said.

“To play against a team with a good pace and with players as quick as Leicester, it was important to prevent them from having space in behind.”

Sannino played Marco Cassetti at the centre of the back three in place of Fitz Hall, who was left on the bench.

The Watford head coach gave an explanation for his decision which will be uploaded tomorrow morning.

For Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson's reaction to the match, click here.

To read the match report from Watford's 2-2 draw against the Foxes click here.