Watford showed "very good character" in their 2-1 win over Leicester, head coach Marco Silva said after the game.

The timid Hornets did it the hard way to secure their first win in seven games, and had to endure the prospect of another match without victory once Riyad Mahrez headed the Foxes in front, and Jamie Vardy strode goalwards only to fluff his line at the crucial moment.

But once Molla Wague, with his first Hornets goal in only his second appearance, put the hosts level, they never looked back, and confidence oozed through them like unleaded long before Abdoulaye Doucoure or Kasper Schmeichel - take your pick - put the ball in the back of the net to give Watford the lead.

"We showed very good character," said Silva. "I think it shows what we’ve shown since the first moment of the season.

"The recent form is not the best, our last two games we didn’t perform as we must, and it was another tough game against a very good team.

"We knew before the match how they’re comfortable on the counter attack, they have good balance, and in the first-half we felt some players were uncomfortable and recent results don’t help with that.

"After that, we reacted to show the personality and character in the team. That has stayed in our team - commitment, spirit and other things grow out of that."

You would have got good odds, and perhaps some raised eyebrows, for an anytime bet on a Wague goal for Watford before the game, especially as his defensive rivals in the Hornets squad probably didn't expect him to start, let alone those on the terraces.

"He is a fast player, and he can help with defending against players like Vardy," Silva explained. "He’s improved in recent weeks and he answered my call well.

"Of course, the decision on picking central defenders comes from defending - but he’s good from set-pieces too."

The head coach added that Roberto Pereyra, withdrawn two minutes before the interval, was suffering with a leg problem, but he may be fit to face Swansea on Saturday.