Enjoy the moment but it’s only the beginning. That was the message from Javi Gracia after he became the first manager or head coach to lead Watford to three successive victories at the start of a top-flight season.

Then 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace – secured with goals from Roberto Pereyra and Jose Holebas – moved the Hornets up to second in the Premier League after the final whistle, behind leaders Liverpool on goal difference.

Asked how he felt about the achievement, Gracia responded: “I’m very proud to be Watford’s coach. I don’t need to get results (to feel this). It’s very difficult to win in the Premier League and to get three wins in a row is something special, something amazing.

“We are enjoying the moment knowing it’s only the beginning but we have made three important steps, but only three. We need to keep going.

“The players are rewarding all the work they have done, all the effort they have done from the pre-season.

“You can look at the table if you want but if you see the table you can see the date and there are many steps to take. It’s important for a good atmosphere in the team and in this moment everybody is happy, but we know it’s only the beginning.”

The Hornets had to battle for the victory and on another day they could have been 2-0 down in the first half after Ben Foster denied Christian Benteke and James McArthur, the save from the Belgian striker being particularly impressive.

Gracia said: “Every game is different but in the games (his side have played this season) I think you can see a good behaviour of the team. Today playing against two strikers in Benteke and (Wilfried) Zaha you have to show good defensive work because they are a very demanding team. When we play against them they always tough games, always tight games and today it was the same. It was a rainy day, there were a lot of contacts in many different situations.

“I think we played worse in the first half than the second, they created more chances in the first half and it was Ben Foster who kept us in the game. In the second half we have created more chances and scored two goals.

“In the last moment, the last minute with the corner kick they could have scored and the result could have been different, but like we have done in all the games we have worked a lot and I think we deserved this result.