Marco Silva bemoaned Miguel Britos’ game-changing red card during Watford’s 0-0 draw with Brighton.

The Centre-back was sent off for a horrible studs up foul on Anthony Knockaert which took the wind out of the Hornets’ sails after a positive start to the game.

While a point against a side with a numerical advantage is a positive, Silva felt Britos’ dismissal, which he accepted was the correct decision, prevented his side form enacting his game plan to full effect.

“It is a fair red card and Britos made the wrong decision and made the wrong action. Of course it is a really important moment of the match,” Silva said.

“It is an important moment, because we prepared the match, were in control and it wasn’t in a dangerous situation.

“It changes everything we planned and prepared for the match. It is not a good moment.”

The red card is Britos’ third in just 32 appearances for the Golden Boys and he is the second Watford player to be sent off in two matches, after Jose Holebas was given his marching orders in midweek.

Silva preferred to view the incidents in isolation, and says there is no issue with indiscipline at Vicarage Road.

“It is one moment, it is possible to lose your control and he lost his emotional balance. I can talk about three matches [I have been in charge for] and not the past,” he said.

“We need to keep focused and keep our emotional balance in the match and in that moment Britos didn’t do that.

“I have talked to him. It is not important about what he said. It is not a good moment and he has spoken to me and his team mates. What he said to us, we keep in the changing room.”

The point sees Watford keep their unbeaten Premier League start going and they head into the international break with five points to their name.

Silva was pleased with the manner in which his side battled after going down to 10 men and highlighted the spirit shown in over an hour of game time after Britos left the field.

He said: “It is a good moment for our players because we didn’t take three points, we took only one, but they showed me again what I want to see.

“We showed good commitment, good attitude and good organisation and this is important for us.”