Perhaps it might seem easy to be over the top about an away win at Bournemouth - but when you pick up three points away from Vicarage Road for the first time in seven months, it tells its own story.

Not only did Watford extend their unbeaten start to the season, but head coach Marco Silva got a monkey off his own back, picking up his first win away from home since April 2016, when he was in charge at Olympiakos.

The victory was thoroughly deserved, too, as Watford restricted the hosts to half-chances in the second period, when both their goals arrived - Richarlison, a maestro with the ball, forcing home the opener before substitute Etienne Capoue wrapped it up with four minutes left.

Here's how the Hornets rated on a great afternoon on the South Coast - unless you're a Bournemouth fan, of course.

Heurelho Gomes - 7
Won everything he came for, made a couple of important stops from Ryan Fraser and Benik Afobe before the break, but was left largely untroubled after half-time.

Watford Observer:

Kiko Femenia - 6

Bright going forward and did better on Fraser than he did against Sadio Mane last week. Positional work still needs attention, as most of Bournemouth’s joy out wide came down their right.

Sebastian Prodl - 7.5

Marshalled the defence and rescued his centre-back team-mate more than once. Never let tricky sub Jermain Defoe into the game, and reads the game so well. Younes Kaboul won't have enjoyed watching this performance, because on today's evidence he's got a job to get back in.

Miguel Britos - 6.5

Strong block on Afobe early on but struggled to deal with striker’s pace as first-half continued. Improved after half-time, and alongside Prodl kept Defoe and Josh King very quiet.

Jose Holebas - 6.5
Decent from long throws, producing one of Hornets’ best chances just before the break. Never really troubled by Jordon Ibe, and got up and down the left-hand side well throughout. Any incoming left-back will have a job on their hands to displace him.

Nathaniel Chalobah - 6

Looked off the pace and really poor before half-time, but was more effective when moved forward. Should have scored, but partially redeemed himself when playing a perfect ball to Andre Gray which led to the opener.

Watford Observer:

Abdoulaye Doucoure - 7

His normal self, shielded the back four well and moved the ball around smartly. Unlucky not to get a half-chance at the end of the first 45 from Richarlison's pull-back.

Nordin Amrabat - 6.5
Looked a lot better on the right and made chances for the Hornets. Crossing a mixed bag, but that's an improvement on last year and he should have had at least one assist. Might want a word in the ear of Chalobah if he gets a chance to look at the match DVD.

Tom Cleverley - 7
A bit of a mixed bag first-half, but generally some really good quality, forward-thinking passing, and some simple stuff that didn’t come off. Looking forward a lot more than he did in pre-season, in a vital position to do so.

Watford Observer:

Richarlison - 8.5
Worked hard and not afraid to get stuck in, showed his physicality. Charlie Daniels will be having nightmares about that bit of skill before the break. Capped a fine first start with a deserved goal, and could have made a couple more. You can see the confidence oozing through him.

Andre Gray - 7
Helped with Watford’s build-up but spent much of the game feeding on scraps. Did ever so well to get across Ake to reach Chalobah’s ball for the goal, and was a nuisance. Could've done a bit better with a couple of first-half breakaways.

Substitutes

Watford Observer:

Etienne Capoue (for Richarlison, 79) - 7
It would be churlish not to reward the often-maligned Frenchman for an excellent goal, which is all that needs saying about his 11-minute cameo. Perhaps a surprise to see him installed for Richarlison, but he answered any questions pretty well didn't he?

Christian Kabasele (for Amrabat, 81) - N/A

Ben Watson (for Chalobah, 90) - N/A