A lesson in tactics from schoolmaster Marco Silva was rewarded with straight As for man of the match Will Hughes in Watford's 2-0 win over West Ham yesterday.

Hughes was played in the unfamiliar position on the right of a front three for the Hornets, but his performance lit up the night's sky above Vicarage Road in only his second Premier League start.

The 22-year-old was given licence to roam around the final third and flexed his footballing muscles in doing so, scoring one and making another of Watford's two goals.

Speaking to Match of the Day, Hughes said: "It's known that I'm not the quickest of players, so I've got to use my ability to get into the right spaces and create chances.

"I've not started many games on the right, I did at school but I don't mind doing it. The manager has been very aware of how to use me tactically, and it's paid off here.

"When we haven't got the ball, the gaffer wants me to get in and cover that left-back position, but off-the-ball you've got a job to do.

"On it, I've got free reign. On paper, it looks like it's right wing but on the ball Marco gives you a free-reign across the forward line."

Hughes has taken to the top flight like a duck to water after initially being kept in the dry by Silva, who did not give him his Premier League debut until late October.

He said: "The Premier League is more tactical, more of a chess game than the Championship.

"It's about when to go, when not to - but that's something I've had to learn and Marco has been really good with me, explaining different situations.

"We haven't paid much attention to the speculation around him, we've got on with training as we normally would. Whatever happens happens, but he's in charge here for now."