Watford came up against a well-organised team and for the second time this season came up short, at Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon.
The Hornets were at least on a par with their hosts before Marvin Zeegelaar's reckless red card shortly before half-time, but the sucker punch of a goal as the break approached was the last thing Marco Silva needed.
Watford showed their typical heart and desire in the second period but couldn't muster up a shot on target over the 90 minutes, as Burnley's well-arranged team, being a man light and generally looking rather leggy ended with a long journey home without a single point in the bag.
Here's how we rated the Hornets:
Heurelho Gomes - 6.5
Good early save from Gudmundsson and another after half-time from the same man. Generally solid and hasn't dropped a clanger in quite a while now. Long may it continue.
Daryl Janmaat - 6
Turned too easily for the goal with little more than a good touch from Arfield. Got forward after half-time, especially, and had one of the Hornets' best attacks with a rampaging run through the home defence shortly after the interval.
Adrian Mariappa - 5
Looked very shaky, and more exposed as part of a central two. Got himself out of trouble a couple of times after some wobbly moments, but didn't have a great game.
Christian Kabasele - 7
Watford's best player, won the aerial battle with Wood and barely gave him a moment's rest. Even fancied an edge-of-the-box shot before the break.
Marvin Zeegelaar - 4
Was having a quiet, unspectacular afternoon before his two-footed challenge earned a red card. For me it was a borderline decision, but one he gave the referee a chance to make.
Abdoulaye Doucoure - 6
Solid defensively but lacked his usual pizzazz in attack. Perhaps down to Burnley's stubbornness, perhaps because he's getting tired - it's been a long old season in the middle.
Tom Cleverley - 6.5
Tried to get things going until Zeegelaar's red card, when his attacking instincts had to be curtailed.
Andre Carrillo - 6.5
Was effective until the red card when Watford's style understandably changed; provided the cross of the day, which should have led to an early opener from Richarlison.
Roberto Pereyra - 5.5
Busy but ineffective and hooked before half-time when the Hornets changed shape.
Richarlison - 5.5
His quietest game in a Watford shirt since he joined. Well-marshalled by the Burnley defence but another who may be a little jaded.
Troy Deeney - 5
Started well but after the first 15 minutes was outfought and bullied by the hosts, never really in the game. Didn't have a great amount of service but up against Kevin Long, who hasn't played a league game all season, should have had a better afternoon from 50/50s at least.
Substitutes
Jose Holebas (for Zeegelaar 43) - 5.5
Good to see his ability from set-pieces back on the pitch, but within a minute of coming on he'd been turned by Gudmundsson, who fed Arfield for the decisive goal.
Andre Gray (for Carrillo 78) - 5
Touched the ball once in 12 minutes.
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